In order to improve the outcomes of secondary chemistry courses, I have conducted an investigation into the scientific literature on chemistry and science education, identified a variety of pedagogical practices, and compared their efficacy in facilitating understanding and interest in chemistry and science in general. Using the results of this investigation, I have selected effective practices and integrated them into an instructional unit for a typical second-year (tenth grade) high school chemistry course, examining the basic units, structure, and properties of matter as described by the periodic table. This unit includes readings, activities, experiments, and assessments that have been developed in order to make the abstract introductory concepts of chemistry accessible to high school chemistry students.
