Exotic Chemistry: World's Oldest Water and The Rar

Hi Hank!

We meet. (Kind of...) Just hoping that you will read this as I'm sure you don't read all of the youtube comments that are sometimes very bizarre and inane.

I had loads of fun using your Crash Course Chemistry lessons in my Honors Chem classes this past year. Sometimes I SciShow to introduce a topic such as significant figures, but mostly the videos were used for reinforcement and to give my students a different slant. You might be flattered to know that my students think you are almost as smart as Michio Kaku.

Two things. First, my students complain (wipe away tear) that you talk too fast. This is obviously part of who you are and how you present, but I agree that they would perhaps understand more if you slowed down a tich. Second, most Chem teachers go through pains to teach problem solving in a highly systematic way so that our students have a fighting chance if they are not strong in math. In high school, we (generally speaking) adhere to using consistent dimensional analysis with units (and substances) stated in a methodical manner so that the units tell the story. When equations are used, we typically rearrange the equation before solving and again, let the units do the talking. So, what I'm saying is this...please have our backs on this one. We know it leads our students to become more successful problem solvers. Too late for the Chemistry series, but perhaps in the future, be mindful of this. (I'm having trouble remembering specifically where you go way off on a wicked math tangent, but I'm thinking acid-rain calculations, gas laws and stoichiometry.)

So, I suppose I should tell you that I tell my students I would marry you if you weren't already married. I jokingly tell them that I daydream about you and I should have married a nerd instead of a forester. They think this is hysterical and call me a cougar and hint that Michio might be available. (Too bad I wouldn't understand as much about what he has to say...) What public school teachers won't do to get their kids to pay attention.

Thanks for your efforts.
Christa