Teaching Chemistry Progressively: From Substances, to Atoms and Molecules, to Electrons and Nuclei

In most chemistry courses today, students are introduced to atoms, molecules, ions, and electrons early in the course, and have to accept the teacher’s word that these exist. A better method is to teach chemistry progressively, starting with observations at a macroscopic level, interpreting these at an atomic and molecular level, and then at an electronic and nuclear level. A modern way of doing this is described. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. Eur.: 2002, 3, 215-228]