Ariel Serkin
@aserkin.bsky.social
HS chem teacher, #modchem, 2021 PAEMST awardee, podcast and book junkie
Whatever this year brings, we know it will be full of surprises. Here’s to being able to adapt and be resilient. #nerdytshirtfriday
January 2, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Whatever this year brings, we know it will be full of surprises. Here’s to being able to adapt and be resilient. #nerdytshirtfriday
For dinner tonight, I’m making homemade applesauce and latkes. Currently, I’m making my 4th pan of latkes. On the plate are how many remain. #chanukah
December 20, 2025 at 11:51 PM
For dinner tonight, I’m making homemade applesauce and latkes. Currently, I’m making my 4th pan of latkes. On the plate are how many remain. #chanukah
Happy #chanukah and #nerdytshirtfriday celebrating the FEsTiVAl of Lights and Chemistry #OOTD
I was stopped in the hall by a Student who noticed the shirt, & then I pointed out the headband, and the response was "Represent!"
Representation always matters, especially now, even when it feels hard.
I was stopped in the hall by a Student who noticed the shirt, & then I pointed out the headband, and the response was "Represent!"
Representation always matters, especially now, even when it feels hard.
December 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Happy #chanukah and #nerdytshirtfriday celebrating the FEsTiVAl of Lights and Chemistry #OOTD
I was stopped in the hall by a Student who noticed the shirt, & then I pointed out the headband, and the response was "Represent!"
Representation always matters, especially now, even when it feels hard.
I was stopped in the hall by a Student who noticed the shirt, & then I pointed out the headband, and the response was "Represent!"
Representation always matters, especially now, even when it feels hard.
Now that the West Wing is back on Netflix, it's time for a rewatch. In the 1st 90 s there is a "news report" of a spill of 20,000 gallons of NaOH. Now I'm trying to think how I can make this into a problem that I use in class. #IteachChem
December 17, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Now that the West Wing is back on Netflix, it's time for a rewatch. In the 1st 90 s there is a "news report" of a spill of 20,000 gallons of NaOH. Now I'm trying to think how I can make this into a problem that I use in class. #IteachChem
At an after school meeting today and there were snacks. Someone looked at my plate and said “are you going to eat all that?”
I replied that I needed enough snacks to put in my mouth so I wouldn’t talk and get myself fired. 🍎
I replied that I needed enough snacks to put in my mouth so I wouldn’t talk and get myself fired. 🍎
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
At an after school meeting today and there were snacks. Someone looked at my plate and said “are you going to eat all that?”
I replied that I needed enough snacks to put in my mouth so I wouldn’t talk and get myself fired. 🍎
I replied that I needed enough snacks to put in my mouth so I wouldn’t talk and get myself fired. 🍎
Today’s chemistry #OOTD is another @svahausa dress (shocking, I know). I’m honoring #womeninstem with Dr Rosalind Franklin’s photograph 51. #nerdychic
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Today’s chemistry #OOTD is another @svahausa dress (shocking, I know). I’m honoring #womeninstem with Dr Rosalind Franklin’s photograph 51. #nerdychic
This popped up on my Instagram feed and my first thought was: “what’s a potassium hydroxide dress ?”
November 9, 2025 at 1:56 AM
This popped up on my Instagram feed and my first thought was: “what’s a potassium hydroxide dress ?”
It’s a #nerdytshirtfriday for chemistry #OOTD. Got mole problems ? Call Avogadro 6.02 x 10²³ #nerdychic
November 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
It’s a #nerdytshirtfriday for chemistry #OOTD. Got mole problems ? Call Avogadro 6.02 x 10²³ #nerdychic
It’s a #nerdytshirtfriday for chemistry #OOTD. Got mole problems ? Call Avogadro 6.02 x 10²³ #nerdychic
November 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
It’s a #nerdytshirtfriday for chemistry #OOTD. Got mole problems ? Call Avogadro 6.02 x 10²³ #nerdychic
It's been a hard and exhausting day of teaching, but several students said that my outfit ate, so I'll take that as a win.
November 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
It's been a hard and exhausting day of teaching, but several students said that my outfit ate, so I'll take that as a win.
How early is too early to go to bed the day that the clocks change?
November 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
How early is too early to go to bed the day that the clocks change?
As we get ready for sukkot, I’m grateful for the time with A as we celebrate the chaggim together.
And for nature for providing us with the mini pumpkins for our front yard from the ones that decomposed last year.
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ
And for nature for providing us with the mini pumpkins for our front yard from the ones that decomposed last year.
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ
October 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
As we get ready for sukkot, I’m grateful for the time with A as we celebrate the chaggim together.
And for nature for providing us with the mini pumpkins for our front yard from the ones that decomposed last year.
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ
And for nature for providing us with the mini pumpkins for our front yard from the ones that decomposed last year.
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ
Dear Apple Watch, I’ve been up since 6 am shopping, baking, cooking, and putting up the sukkah. Please give me way more credit for all my fitness goals.
Thanks.
Thanks.
October 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Dear Apple Watch, I’ve been up since 6 am shopping, baking, cooking, and putting up the sukkah. Please give me way more credit for all my fitness goals.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I think this was my favorite technical challenge on the Great British Baking Show / Bake-off
October 5, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I think this was my favorite technical challenge on the Great British Baking Show / Bake-off
There is not enough caffeine to help the recovery from the Yom Kippur fast for #nerdytshirtfriday
October 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
There is not enough caffeine to help the recovery from the Yom Kippur fast for #nerdytshirtfriday
For this Shabbat Shuvah and #nerdytshirtfriday I present the elemental model of the universe. To quote Carl Sagan: “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff”
We are all capable of reflection and teshuvah and are worthy of being recipients of the same.
We are all capable of reflection and teshuvah and are worthy of being recipients of the same.
September 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
For this Shabbat Shuvah and #nerdytshirtfriday I present the elemental model of the universe. To quote Carl Sagan: “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff”
We are all capable of reflection and teshuvah and are worthy of being recipients of the same.
We are all capable of reflection and teshuvah and are worthy of being recipients of the same.
For some reason, my students did not find my Family Feud of beakers vs flasks nearly as entertaining as I do. 🤷♀️ #ITeachChem
September 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
For some reason, my students did not find my Family Feud of beakers vs flasks nearly as entertaining as I do. 🤷♀️ #ITeachChem
In a stressful 6 hour weeks that included
End of an engagement/LTR
Rough transition back to school
Dropping A off at his dorm (also he got clipped by a car, lockdown, etc)
Potential glaucoma diagnosis
Cancer scare
I know that I’m healing b/c I can finally enjoy reading again.
End of an engagement/LTR
Rough transition back to school
Dropping A off at his dorm (also he got clipped by a car, lockdown, etc)
Potential glaucoma diagnosis
Cancer scare
I know that I’m healing b/c I can finally enjoy reading again.
September 26, 2025 at 12:25 AM
In a stressful 6 hour weeks that included
End of an engagement/LTR
Rough transition back to school
Dropping A off at his dorm (also he got clipped by a car, lockdown, etc)
Potential glaucoma diagnosis
Cancer scare
I know that I’m healing b/c I can finally enjoy reading again.
End of an engagement/LTR
Rough transition back to school
Dropping A off at his dorm (also he got clipped by a car, lockdown, etc)
Potential glaucoma diagnosis
Cancer scare
I know that I’m healing b/c I can finally enjoy reading again.
Shana Tova! My favorite pre Rosh Hashana dress from @superdesignershop ! A bee-utiful way to get ready for a sweet new year.
May we have and health and renewal this year.
(And yes, there are sugar molecules right near the bees)
May we have and health and renewal this year.
(And yes, there are sugar molecules right near the bees)
September 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Shana Tova! My favorite pre Rosh Hashana dress from @superdesignershop ! A bee-utiful way to get ready for a sweet new year.
May we have and health and renewal this year.
(And yes, there are sugar molecules right near the bees)
May we have and health and renewal this year.
(And yes, there are sugar molecules right near the bees)
Note to self continued: chocolate chip cookies will taste better when you decide to add sugar.
Yes, I noticed this in plenty of time
But not until after I tasted the batter
Moral of the story:
Always taste the batter
Yes, I noticed this in plenty of time
But not until after I tasted the batter
Moral of the story:
Always taste the batter
September 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Note to self continued: chocolate chip cookies will taste better when you decide to add sugar.
Yes, I noticed this in plenty of time
But not until after I tasted the batter
Moral of the story:
Always taste the batter
Yes, I noticed this in plenty of time
But not until after I tasted the batter
Moral of the story:
Always taste the batter
I’m making challah for Rosh Hashana and I tried twice to get the psyllium husk to gel and it didn’t work.
Then I realized I was using teff flour and not psyllium husk
#glutenfree #roshhashanah #chemistswhocook
Then I realized I was using teff flour and not psyllium husk
#glutenfree #roshhashanah #chemistswhocook
September 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I’m making challah for Rosh Hashana and I tried twice to get the psyllium husk to gel and it didn’t work.
Then I realized I was using teff flour and not psyllium husk
#glutenfree #roshhashanah #chemistswhocook
Then I realized I was using teff flour and not psyllium husk
#glutenfree #roshhashanah #chemistswhocook
Trying to voice text my kid at the grocery store and somehow Rosh Hashanah became Russia in China which is something else all together
September 19, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Trying to voice text my kid at the grocery store and somehow Rosh Hashanah became Russia in China which is something else all together
May 5786 be much more Bohring than 5785. Looking forward to peace, quiet, and reflection.
Looking forward to continuing to move forward.
Shana Tova Tikatevu
#nerdytshirtfriday
Looking forward to continuing to move forward.
Shana Tova Tikatevu
#nerdytshirtfriday
September 19, 2025 at 11:45 AM
May 5786 be much more Bohring than 5785. Looking forward to peace, quiet, and reflection.
Looking forward to continuing to move forward.
Shana Tova Tikatevu
#nerdytshirtfriday
Looking forward to continuing to move forward.
Shana Tova Tikatevu
#nerdytshirtfriday
How are things going you ask?
I wanted to take my usual allergy meds and instead took a melatonin.
At 8am
I wanted to take my usual allergy meds and instead took a melatonin.
At 8am
September 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
How are things going you ask?
I wanted to take my usual allergy meds and instead took a melatonin.
At 8am
I wanted to take my usual allergy meds and instead took a melatonin.
At 8am
Trying to Be Like a Proton and Stay Positive for #nerdytshirtfriday
September 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Trying to Be Like a Proton and Stay Positive for #nerdytshirtfriday