How VSEPR theory can be better understood by using innovative tools

Abstract

One of the objectives of the TFA course in Naples has been that of familiarizing the School teachers with the application of tools derived from everyday life of students in educational activities in order to encourage the learning process.

To this end we proposed an educational material that, starting from an introductive session, is immediately pointed at developing strategies able to facilitate student comprehension of the hardest topics of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. We chose VSEPR Theory and introduced students to a game based on the use of balloons of different colours representing bound electron pairs and ione pairs.