Books, Movies, and Chemistry
Learning about chemistry doesn’t have to involve a textbook. Check out these book and movie recommendations that blend chemistry with fiction and non-fiction. Are they accurate? How do they portray science and those who study it?
- Books to Read
We pin. You read. Check out ACS ChemClub’s Pinterest board, filled with science-themed books. - Institute of Making
Author Mark Miodownik shows the science behind the world's stuff in his book Stuff Matters. This online collection houses even more examples. - Stuff Matters Excerpt
Get a peek at the intro and first chapter of Miodownik's book. - Stuff Matters in Chem13 News
Find out why chemistry teachers should read this book and share it with their students. - Stuff Matters Review
Get a small taste of the materials and chemistry you'll find in Miodownik's book - The Disappearing Spoon Podcast
Author Sam Kean tells forgotten stories from the past that have a science twist. - The Story of Periodicity
Dive into The Disappearing Spoon from both English and Chemistry class points of view.
- The Martian Virtual Book Club Resources
Dive deeper into the science of The Martian with reading guides, Fermi calculations, and a personalized Martian playlist. - The Martian: Book versus Movie
What’s your vote: book first or movie first? Both are packed with chemistry. - The Martian: Popular Fiction Plus Chemistry
Gripping fiction. Gripping science. See how Andy Weir’s The Martian can find a place in the chemistry classroom. - Reading Non-Fiction Within a Grade 10 Chemistry Class
It’s a true story, but reads like a mystery novel. How did chemistry cause “The Case of the Frozen Addicts”? - Using Children's Literature To Teach Science
You’re never too old for a picture book! This site links tons of kid lit favorites with hands-on science activities. - October Sky
Encourage your students to reach for the stars! Use the book Rocket Boys to motivate students to launch their study of rocket science. - Literary Reactions
You’ve taken English Lit? What about Chemistry Lit? See some examples where chemistry “takes centre stage.”
- The Chemistry of the Murder Mystery
Chemistry makes the murder, or at least a book about one. These stories are fiction, but the chemistry is real. - Science and Science Fiction
Want to use books and movies in your science curriculum? This resource list gets you started. - Forensic Chemistry in Golden-Age Detective Fiction
These stories were CSI before there was CSI. What could forensic scientists detect and figure out back then? - Carl Djerassi—Chemistry and Theatre
Become an “intellectual smuggler”—how can you work science into fiction? Hear how this famous chemist did it. - Reading Aloud to Teens Gains Favor Among Teachers
Did you love being read to as a kid? It doesn’t have to stop! See what these teachers did and why.
- The Magical Periodic Table and The Element Girls Series
This middle school teacher makes elements come alive in her book series. - The Chemical Wizardry of J.K. Rowling
Those in Harry Potter’s world would say it’s magic. We say it’s chemistry. Try these demos and activities for Hogwarts-style results. - Interactive: Tales from The Poisoner's Handbook
The book turns graphic novel as you follow these chemistry crime solvers. - Fiction for Teaching Chemistry
Educator alert! This action research paper gives a peek at some of the possibilities of bringing science fiction into the classroom. - The Aroma of Books
Sure, using the words of books to learn chemistry is fine. But what about their smell?
- Connecting Black Panther's Vibranium to the Periodic Table
Where would you put this movie’s element into the existing periodic table? More importantly, why? - Reality vs. Hollywood: Chemistry
What do chemists and their labs look like in real life? How well do movies match up? - Chem Curious
These YouTube videos link movie clips with chemistry demos. Find your favorite! - Reel Science
What’s your rating? Three flasks? Four? Pick a movie, decide how well it portrays science, then see if you agree with the online reviewer. Start your own list! - Media Consulting: Entertaining Science
Leave the lab and head to Hollywood. Learn about what it’s like to be a science adviser for movies and TV shows. - ReAction! Chemistry in the Movies
101 movies. Every single one has chemistry. Get started! - Movies You Can Use in the Classroom
Try some of these movie clips in place of a demo in your classroom. - Alien Biochemistry & Extra Terrestrial Minerals
This stuff is in the movies, but you won’t find it on earth. Learn about science from made-up minerals and aliens created for films. - Celebrating Chemistry—"Behind the Scenes with Chemistry"
Get hands-on with these activities about the science of movie special effects.
- Mixing Bad: Where Are All the Great Chemical Films?
This ACS film fan answers the question with his list of chemistry/science themed movies and TV shows. - Using the Erin Brockovich Saga in Chemistry Teaching
A 333-million-dollar court case, centered on chromium. Is it toxic, or essential to health? (Or both?) - Using the Space Program in the Movies as a Teaching Tool
Head into outer space, without leaving the classroom. All it takes is a few movies and ideas from this article. - Teaching Chemistry Using October Sky
Movie plus book memoir (throw in some rockets and explosions too) equals a great idea for exploring chemistry in the real world. - Teaching Chemistry Using the Movie Apollo 13
Step 1: Watch movie. Step 2: Let the chemistry discussion begin… - A Chemical Criterion for Rating Movies
Smell that? It’s the chemistry of an unusual way to rate movies. - Chemistry at the Movies
Film. Popcorn. Audience. Which chemical compounds are part of the movie experience? - Hidden Figures Curriculum Guide
These “human computers” played a critical role in the space races decades ago. Hear their story and the science.
(all sites accessed July 2021)
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