Chemical Puns
I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of \u201cThe Science Teacher\u201d a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.\xa0\xa0In this issue, I read the \u201cIdea Bank\u201d column, written by Nick Thomas.\xa0\xa0He wrote an article entitled, \u201cChemicals Gone Funny.\u201d
Using humor in the classroom at any level can be a gamble for teachers and most have probably experienced students collectively rolling their eyes at a corny joke.\xa0\xa0Puns, of course, frequently elicit that response along with the almost requisite group groan.\xa0\xa0Yet this ancient and simple form of humor can effectively impart a message if carefully worded, although any attempt at a science pun relies on the teacher first ensuring students understand the scientific principles tied to the humor.