Kitchen Chemistry

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This collection of AACT resources highlights all of the hands-on physical science and chemistry activities that are available in our library, and require only tools and/or materials that are typically found in the kitchen. All of these resources include a list of required materials and detailed background information for teachers, or other adults, who are supervising the activity. There are also student activity sheets, and many include an answer key. There is an equipment list and a table of conversion factors available in the sidebar.

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  Demonstration | Density, Measurements | Elementary School

  Sinking Soda

  In this teacher led demonstration, students will compare their observations when unopened cans of diet and regular soda are placed in a large container of water. They will use their observations to help differentiate between several fundamental chemistry concepts: mass, volume, and density.

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  Demonstration | Density, Identifying an Unknown, Measurements | Elementary School, Middle School

  Household Densities

  In this demonstration, students will make predictions about various household materials and whether or not each will sink or float when placed in water. Data will be collected and then used to calculate the density value of each item. Finally students will analyze the relationship between the density value and the observed outcome, and use their knowledge to identify unknown materials.

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  Demonstration | Pressure, Temperature | Elementary School, Middle School

  EGGsperiment

  In this demonstration, students will learn how temperature change affects air pressure, while observing an egg getting sucked into a bottle without being touched!

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  Demonstration | Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic | Elementary School, Middle School

  Giant Toothpaste

  In this demonstration, students will identify factors that indicate a chemical change has occurred while observing the production of giant toothpaste. This reaction uses simpler materials than those that are often used in the typical high school version of the Elephant’s toothpaste demonstration.

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  Lesson Plan | Chemical Properties, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Separating Mixtures | Elementary School, Middle School

  Clean-Up Pond Pollution

  In this lesson, students will compare polluted and filtered water to observe how filtering can remove some kinds of pollutants. Students will also be asked to consider how people affect ecosystems and use the scientific method to conduct an experiment on polluted water.

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  Activity | Chemical Change, Matter, Phase Changes, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Analyzing Root Beer Floats

  In this activity students will observe the states of matter while making a root beer float. They will also discover the differences between a solid, a liquid and a gas.

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  Activity | Chemical Change, Matter, Mixture, Mixtures, Physical Change | Elementary School

  Chemistry in the Kitchen!

  In this activity, students will describe the steps required to complete a recipe of their choosing. They will identify any physical and chemical changes that occur throughout the process.

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  Activity | Dimensional Analysis, Matter, Measurements, Mixture, Physical Change | High School, Middle School

  Cooking with Conversions

  In this activity, students will be given a common homemade recipe for German chocolate cake with measurements in English units. They will be asked to convert the English ingredients list to metric units through scientific calculations. Students will also be asked to identify the ingredients as solid, liquid or gas. While reviewing the cooking procedures, students will classify certain steps as containing compounds or mixtures as well as identify whether chemical or physical changes are taking place. The culinary chemistry involved in this lesson should be introduced throughout the activity.

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  Demonstration | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Physical Change | Elementary School

  Make a Cake!

  In this demonstration, students will learn about chemical reactions by observing the differences when 4 small cakes are baked. Each recipe will differ slightly in that one important ingredient will be left out in 3 of the 4 mixtures. Students will observe and discuss what happens when things are missing or left out of a mixture and how that effects the chemical reaction.

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  Demonstration | Chemical Change, Concentration, Solute & Solvent | Elementary School, Middle School

  Soft Eggs

  In this demonstration, students will first observe a reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and an egg shell (calcium carbonate) to produce a naked egg. Using these eggs, student will analyze how certain substances can move through a membrane and also determine if the membrane is affected.

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  Lab | Chemical Change, Chemical Change | Elementary School

  Teeth Eggsperiment!

  In this lab students will observe and analyze how different drinks can stain an egg’s shell. They will then associate the results with how these drinks can stain their teeth.

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  Demonstration | Physical Change, Solubility, Solute & Solvent | Elementary School

  Crystallization of Sugar

  In this demonstration, students will observe how to make rock candy in order to understand how sugar crystals form. They will be able to explain what a supersaturated solution is and how it is relevant to sugar crystallization.

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  Lesson Plan | Mixture, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Solute & Solvent | Middle School

  How Fast Does it Flow?

  In this lesson students explore the viscosity of different mixtures. They measure viscosity of different mixtures and then have the opportunity to design a mixture to attain a particular viscosity. Students will relate their lab experience to the application of viscosity in the real-world as they consider the differences in viscosity between different types of paints.

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  Demonstration | Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Polarity | Elementary School

  Colorful Milk

  In this demonstration, students will observe as the teacher creates several colorful mixtures. Using food coloring, water and milk, students will watch the colors swirl and mix. Students will have the opportunity to make a prediction about what will happen to the colors when a sample of soap is introduced to the mixture.

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  Lab | Phase Changes, Physical Change | Middle School

  I Can’t Believe It’s Butter!

  In this lab students will learn about the phases of matter and phase changes while making a small sample of butter.

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  Lab | Density, Mixtures, Solubility | Middle School

  Investigating Density within Lava Lamps

  In this lab students will make a simple yet spectacular lava lamp while focusing on the density of the components.

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  Lab | Heat, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Temperature, Temperature | High School, Middle School

  Mega Marshmallows

  In this lab, students will investigate the Kinetic Molecular Theory and particle motion while experimenting with a marshmallow. Students will observe how an increase in kinetic energy will cause particles to increase in motion. This concept will be extended into a discussion about additional real world thermal expansion examples.

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  Demonstration | Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Reaction Rate | High School, Middle School

  Comparing Rates of Reaction

  In this demonstration, students observe the effect of temperature, concentration, and particle size on the rate of a chemical reaction.

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  Activity | Atomic Mass, Isotopes, Subatomic Particles | High School, Middle School

  Candy Isotopes & Atomic Mass

  In this activity, students will learn about isotopes and be introduced to basic average atomic mass calculations. They will use simple numbers and M&M candies to model ratios that approximate real world atomic mass values on the periodic table.

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  Activity | Establishing Equilibrium | High School

  Equilibrium Introduction

  In this activity, students perform a hands-on activity that models chemical equilibrium based on the article Equilibrium: A Teaching/Learning Activity by Audrey H. Wilson from the Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 75, No. 9, September 1998.

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  Demonstration | Kinetic Molecular Theory | High School

  Diffusion of Particles

  In this demonstration students will experience diffusion, and then model the process of diffusion of microwave popcorn “flavor particles” in a room filled with still air.

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  Demonstration | Gas Laws, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Pressure, Volume | High School

  Inflate and Shrink Wrap a Student

  In this demonstration, students will observe two situations. First a student will be lifted off the desk as other students blow air into straws connected to a garbage bag in order to inflate it. Secondly, the class will observe a garbage bag shrink wrapping a student as a vacuum removes air from the bag.

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  Activity | Dimensional Analysis, Molar Mass, Mole Concept, Molecular Formula | High School

  Calculating Moles in Daily Life

  In this activity, students will use dimensional analysis to complete calculations and conversions for the number of moles, atoms, and molecules in several everyday household items using collected data.

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  Activity | Balancing Equations, Limiting Reactant, Stoichiometry | High School

  Farfalle Stoichiometry

  In this activity, students will use a hands-on manipulative (pasta) to represent the stoichiometric relationships in a compound and in a balanced equation. They will determine the limiting reactant for a given amount of two reactants and they will identify the excess reactant. In the extension exercise, students will balance the equations that are used in the production of ammonia, a common chemical fertilizer.

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  Activity | Concentration, Molarity | High School

  Particle Level Molarity

  In this activity, students are introduced to molarity at the particle level. Students will activate their prior knowledge by demonstrating their understanding of concentration by preparing several Kool-Aid drinks, and then applying that information at the particle level to various models.

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  Demonstration | Density, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Will it Float?

  In this demonstration, students will observe the relationship between the density of a solution and its impact on an object’s ability to float or sink. Uncooked eggs will be placed in a tap water sample and in a salt water solution so that students can make observations and compare the results in order to make a determination regarding the density value for each item.

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  Demonstration | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Combustion, Density, Density, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Investigating Gas Density

  In this demonstration, students will observe a reaction between baking soda and vinegar in the presence of a burning candle. The initial environment has plenty of oxygen present in order to sustain the candle’s flame; however the reaction will produce carbon dioxide which will cause the lit candle to extinguish. Students will analyze the outcome and compare the presence of the gases in the container and make determinations about the densities of each.

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  Article

  Embracing My Teaching Style

  The author shares about her recent career transition to becoming a chemistry teacher, and reflects on the challenges and successes she experienced during her first year in the classroom.

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  Article

  Preparing Solutions

  In this simulation, students will complete a calculation in order to determine either the molarity of solution, volume of solution, or mass of solute needed. Additionally the associated particle diagram for the solution will be displayed to help students better visualize the solution at the particulate level. Finally, students will gain familiarity with the proper lab techniques for preparing a solution as they are lead through a step-by-step animated process demonstrating this procedure.