Kiran Makkad

Sreenidhi Aarukpalli, 11, works through a kinetics problem right after Saturday’s kinetics lesson. She was one of many students who stayed after to practice topics they had just learned.

With AP exams fast approaching, students in Mr. Michael Geyer‘s AP Chemistry class rush to learn the last of the curriculum.

Because of the sheer amount of content left, Geyer offered an optional Saturday lesson to his students, where he would focus on one of the last units he has left to teach: kinetics, the study of reaction rates. This lesson took place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Geyer provided brownies, cookies, and bagels for those who came, but students were free to bring their own snacks as well. Students were also not required to stay the entire time, but could come and go as they please. Still, many decided to stay the entire time so as not to miss any content.

Geyer focused his lesson on reaction rates determined by the concentration of reactants. The first half of the lesson covered the basic, theoretical concepts of this specific section of kinetics. After a short, 45 minute lunch break, Geyer then showed students how to put the concepts they had just learned into practice with some example problems.

“We learned it all in one sitting, so the content felt clear and understandable,” said Brianna Luo, 11.

Even with four hours devoted to kinetics, Geyer was unable to cover the last topic in kinetics–the Arrhenius equation, which delves into how temperature affects reaction rates. As a result, he posted resources on Canvas for students to use to self-study the topic. Students are responsible for coming to see Geyer if they have any questions.

Geyer also posted the resources he used onto Canvas for those who did not come, as well as extra practice problems for those who wanted them.

The extra time this optional season creates, Geyer noted, allows him to teach isomers, hybridization, resonance structures, and formal charges next week.