Welcome to Miss Zatta's Chemistry Home Page! My name is Kelly Zatta and I teach chemistry at MATES. I grew up in Bergen County, NJ, attended the University of Scranton, PA for two years and completed my degree at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. I taught chemistry in Florida for 5 years before moving back to New Jersey. I have two cats, Calvin(left) and Molly(right)

This page contains relevant information for the Chemistry I & II students at MATES.

My Courses

Chemistry I
“This course encourages the development of higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills via self-directed activities and assignments. Out of class preparation is a vital component of this course along with the ability to apply critical thinking skills. Motivated students are encouraged to take both the Advanced Placement Examination and the SAT II in Chemistry. Direct student experience is required in all lab exercises. Emphasis is on stoichiometry, atomic structure & theory, bonding, kinetic molecular theory, solutions & colligative properties, various equilibriums, kinetics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Descriptive chemistry is included on a regular basis. Students are responsible for advanced placement level questions and problems throughout the year.”

Chemistry II
“This course encourages the development of higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills via self-directed activities and assignments. Out of class preparation is a vital component of this course along with the ability to apply critical thinking skills. Direct student experience is required in all lab exercises. Some of the topics in this course include: oceanic chemical processes, trace metals, identifying the major source of polychlorinated biphenyls and their impact on organisms, and the effects of global warming on ocean chemical processes.”

COURSE GOALS:
• Develop strong problem solving skills.
• Develop strong critical thinking skills.
• Understand and appreciate the wide-reaching effects of chemistry knowledge.
• Develop strong laboratory skills & confidence within the lab.
• Develop the discipline to excel despite challenging concepts.
• Enhance interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with lab partners and teacher.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the course are aimed at providing conceptual knowledge as well as hands-on laboratory experiences with all of the major introductory topics and concepts of chemistry.
These topics and concepts may be summarized as:
• Matter and Change • Measurements and Calculations • Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter • Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms • The Periodic Law • Chemical Bonding • Chemical Formulas and Compounds • Chemical Equations and Reactions • Stoichiometry • States of Matter • Gases • Solutions • Ions in Aqueous Solutions and Colligative Properties • Acids and Bases • Acid-Base Titration and pH • Reaction Energy • Reaction Kinetics • Chemical Equilibrium • Oxidation-Reactions Reactions • Electrochemistry • Nuclear Chemistry • Organic Chemistry • Biological Chemistry