Testing Kitchen Chemistry
62 Classroom Resources
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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 | 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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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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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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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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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass, Limiting Reactant | High School
Understanding Limiting Reactants
In this demonstration, the teacher will perform a series of reactions between acetic acid (vinegar) and varying amounts of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in order to inflate several balloons. Students will observe the reactions and analyze the quantities of reactants used as well as the results in order to understand the concept of limiting reactants.
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Demonstration | Molecular Motion, Temperature | High School, Middle School
What is Temperature?
In this demonstration, students will observe food dye mixing with water at different temperatures.
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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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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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Lab | Freezing Point, Mixtures, Phase Changes | Elementary School
Coffee Creamer Ice Cream
In this lab, students will investigate how dissolving salt (sodium chloride) in water changes the freezing point of the solution. While investigating this, they will make ice cream from small coffee creamer cups.
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Lab | Density, Matter, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School
Comparing Density of Liquids & Irregular Solids
In this lab, students will measure mass and volume, calculate density, and compare the density of given liquids and solids, inferring what causes objects to sink or float in a given liquid. 3-48
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Lab | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Oxidation | Elementary School
Apple's Oxidation
In this lab students will learn about the chemical reaction, oxidation, using apple wedges. They will apply different substances to a number of apple wedges to determine if these applications have any impact on the oxidation process. Students will also use a control sample so that they compare their results with an apple wedge that has not had any substance added to it. Students will measure and record the time it takes to see the changes to the apple which indicate oxidation. 3-46
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Lab | Chemical Change, Observations, Physical Change | Elementary School
Gummy Bear Investigation
In this lab students will write a plan then conduct an experiment using the scientific method to observe the physical and chemical changes that a gummy bear will experience when placed in a solution of their choice.
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Lab | Precipitate, Solubility, Solute & Solvent | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Winter Crystals
In this lab, students will create a supersaturated solution by dissolving borax in boiling water. They will create a snowflake using pipe cleaner to suspend in the solution, which will serve as a nucleation site for crystallization as the solution cools and remains undistributed overnight. This lab gives students an opportunity to experience the exciting crystallization process and become more familiar with an engaging chemistry spectacle!
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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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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 | 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 | Limiting Reactant | High School
Limiting Reactant Candy
In this lab, students will understand what is meant by the term, "limiting reactant" and be able to identify the limiting reactant in a non-chemistry situation.
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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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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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Lesson Plan | Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Inferences, Observations, Physical Change, Physical Change, Solute & Solvent | Elementary School
Alien Invasion?
In this lesson, students will explore both physical and chemical changes as they try to help the Department of Homeland Security analyze and identify materials found in a mysterious capsule. Students will examine and observe an unknown object (a frozen water balloon) as it changes (melts). They then mix combinations of everyday substances to observe chemical changes.
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Lesson Plan | Acid, Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | Elementary School
The Chemistry of Eggs
In this lesson students will learn that vinegar can react with the Calcium in an egg shell to make it rubbery. First, the students will listen to the teacher read a book about eggs. The teacher will then put an egg in a jar with vinegar and let it set for two days. Students will make a prediction about what they think will happen to the egg, and then together they will investigate the final results.
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Lesson Plan | Chemical Change, Conservation of Matter, Phase Changes, Polymers | Elementary School
Making Slime
In this lesson, students explore the science behind chemical reactions as well as the processes used by chemical engineering principles to develop new materials. The idea that mixing two substances can result in an explosion, the release of gas, and the formation of an entirely new substance is both fascinating and mysterious to most young students.
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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 | 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 | Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Polarity | High School
What Makes Water So Special?
In this activity, students will become familiar with the special properties of water by completing several activities that investigate the following physical properties: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action.
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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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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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Lab | Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Properties, Indicators, Observations | Elementary School
Can a Cabbage Distinguish an Acid from a Base?
In this lab, students will first determine what colors the cabbage indicator turns in acidic, neutral, and basic solutions.
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Lab | Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Density, Mixture, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Change | Elementary School
Analyzing a Lava Lamp
In this lab, students create a mixture of oil, water and food coloring, and then add an Alka-Seltzer tablet, to create a homemade lava lamp. Student will record their observations during each step of the process and answer follow-up questions about the chemical and physical changes that took place.
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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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Activity | Introduction, Observations, Physical Properties, Polymers | Elementary School
Bouncy Ball
In this activity, students explore the chemical reaction between borax and glue, creating a polymer ball. The properties of the polymer ball will be analyzed and compared to a store bought bouncy ball.
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Activity | Density, Mixture, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School
Color-Works in a Jar
Students will be using three ingredients to create a liquid color-works mixture in a jar. This is a fun chemistry project to do with young elementary students around the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve to get the children excited about fireworks.
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Lab | Observations, Phase Changes, Physical Change, Temperature | Elementary School, Middle School
Condensation
In this lab, students will explore the process of condensation. Students will investigate how water vapor condenses, and then they will conduct a comparison test to see if cooling water vapor has an effect on the rate of condensation.
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Lab | Melting Point, Observations, Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Scientific Method | Elementary School
Ice Cube Race
In this lab, students will investigate what factors can influence the change in state of matter from a solid to a liquid. They will have the opportunity to make a hypothesis and participate in the design and completion of an experiment.
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Lab | Separating Mixtures, Separating Mixtures | Elementary School
Investigating Black Ink
In this lab, students will discover that black ink is a mixture composed of a several different pigments through a chromatography investigation.
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Lab | Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Mixture, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Polarity | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Salad Dressing Science: Emulsions
In this lab, students mix polar and nonpolar substances and then add various emulsifiers to encourage the mixing of the two substances. They use ingredients in salad dressing to relate science to real life scenarios.
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Lab | Chemical Change, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School
What's the Fizz?
In this lab, students will make a lemon fizzy drink. Students will discuss what happens when things are mixed together.
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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, Observations, Reaction Rate, Reaction Rate | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Simple Kinetics
In this demonstration, students will see that different food dyes react with bleach at different rates.
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Lab | Catalysts, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Reaction Rate, Reaction Rate | Elementary School
To What DEGREE Does it Matter
In this lab the students will explore how factors such as temperature may influence chemical reactions. Students will use citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer) and a catalyst (water) to induce a reaction at varying degrees. Observations will be made of the rate at which the reactions take place under these varying conditions. The students will make predictions of how the temperature of the water will affect the chemical reaction. They will use a stop watch to time the reaction between the Alka-Seltzer and the varying temperatures of water and graph their observations for analysis, they will compare data to deduce whether temperature has any influence during a chemical reaction.
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Lab | Conservation of Matter, Pressure | Elementary School
Alka-Seltzer Rockets
In this lab, students will conduct a chemical reaction that will be used to launch a rocket.
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Demonstration | Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic | Elementary School
Comparing Chemical Reactions
In this demonstration, the teacher will perform two chemical reactions, one will be between acetic acid (vinegar) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and the other will be between Alka-Seltzer and water. Both reactions will produce gas and will be conducted in a Ziploc bag, causing it to inflate. Students will observe the reactions and analyze the results in order to understand indicators of chemical change. Students will also determine that these are both endothermic reactions based on their observations.
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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Density, Density | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Fire Extinguisher
In this demonstration, students will observe a chemical reaction, and see how the product can be used to extinguish a fire.
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Demonstration | Acids & Bases, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Mixture, Observations | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Inflating a Balloon with Chemistry
In this demonstration, the teacher will perform a reaction between acetic acid (vinegar) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in order to inflate a balloon and to introduce the concept of a chemical reaction to students. Students will observe the reaction, and identify indicators of chemical change as well as discuss the different types of matter that are involved.
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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 | Model of the Atom, Periodic Table | High School, Middle School
Sweet Model of the Atom
In this lesson, students will use different candies to represent electrons, protons, and neutrons to gain a better understanding of atoms, ions, and isotopes.
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Lab | Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Physical Change, Temperature | Middle School
Lemon Ice
This activity explores the interaction between salt and water (ice) as a way to further investigate their impact on the state of matter of a substance. Students will use salt and ice to create a slushy lemonade drink without the use of a freezer. They will learn through this hands-on experiment how salt and ice can rapidly cool a liquid.
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Lab | Anode, Cathode, Galvanic Cells, Half Reactions, Oxidation, Reduction | High School
Four-Way Galvanic Cell
In this lab, students will build a simple galvanic cell to measure cell potential and will compare their data to theoretical calculations. Students will become more familiar with cells during this opportunity to investigate and compare numerous electrochemistry reactions.
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Webinar
The Kitchen Chemist
Please join Jonte’ Lee, the kitchen chemist, as he conducts simple, do-it-yourself at home chemistry experiments. Jonte’ will demonstrate how to enhance your distance learning chemistry lessons and how to take any simple experiment and increase its rigor (that is grade appropriate) based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). You will also learn how to make chemistry more engaging and student friendly. Please come with questions!
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Webinar
Virtual Summer Symposium: At-Home Activities and Resources for Teaching Chemistry Online
One thing all successful veteran chemistry teachers have in common is a full toolbox of ideas they can rely on when the unpredictable happens. Prepare for the 2020–2021 school year with help from some of the best of those veterans! They will share some of their favorite “at home” activities and resources for teaching online.
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Webinar
Virtual Summer Symposium: Simulations to Enhance Chemical Instruction
In order to gain understanding of chemical principles, students need to be exposed to concepts in multiple ways. Some simulations can be used to help students visualize chemistry at the particle level while others can be used to model laboratory procedures. In this symposium, various online simulations and accompanying lesson ideas will be shared that are versatile for both in person and online instruction.
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Webinar
Integrating Virtual Labs into the AP/IB Chemistry Curriculum
Virtual chemistry labs can not only help teachers meet specific learning targets in the AP chemistry curriculum, but they also enable students to take an investigative and experimental approach to learning chemistry. Virtual labs can bring textbook concepts to life as students run "what if" experiments on their laptops.
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Article
The Grass Really <em>Is</em> Greener
The author describes how he transitioned from drowning as a teacher in the United States, to cruising as an international school teacher.
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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
AP or IB: What’s the Difference?
The author is frequently asked questions about IB and AP chemistry, including, What's the difference? Isn't one chemistry course pretty much like any other? Based on his experiences, he provides a brief overview of the AP and IB Chemistry programs, and outlines some similarities and differences between the curriculums, laboratory experiences, and end-of-course exams.