Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

1 – 19 of 19 Classroom Resources

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  Scientific Method, Observations | Middle School

  Lab: Which Paint is the most Cost-Effective

  In this lab, students will practice implementing the scientific method in order compare the properties of different paint samples through a variety of testing. Students will research consumer reports, hypothesize, and conduct specific tests in order to determine which brand of paint is the most cost effective.

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  Mixture, Polymers, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Scientific Method | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Exploring the Chemistry of Oil and Acrylic Paints

  In this lesson students learn about the chemistry of oil and acrylic paints. They make their own paint, and complete an experiment to collect qualitative and quantitative data through a series of tests. Students will also apply the concepts of physical and chemical change to the results of this controlled experiment.

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  Scientific Method, Observations, Inferences, Intermolecular Forces, Mixtures | High School

  Lab: Magic Milk

  In this lab, students will investigate the addition of detergent to a mixture of whole milk and food coloring. Students will attempt to explain the cause of their observations. Also, students will have the opportunity to manipulate the experiment and determine how other variables may impact the results.

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  Scientific Method, Observations | High School

  Lesson Plan: Is it Real Science or Pseudoscience?

  In this lesson, students will deepen their knowledge of the scientific method by learning how to determine if researched information is valid and if it should be used for gaining or furthering our scientific knowledge. Students will view the documentary “Mermaids: The Body Found”, a pseudo-documentary that was later reported to be a hoax by the Discovery Channel. They will then use a “Baloney Detection Kit” to analyze the authenticity of information presented through different media as scientific fact.

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  Concentration, Mixtures, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method, Measurements | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Effect of Salt Concentration on Plants

  In this lab, students will observe how salt concentration can affect the structure of a potato tuber.

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Scientific Method, Melting Point, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Lab: S'more Change Please

  In this lab, students will be able to demonstrate the difference between a physical and chemical change by making ooey, gooey, yet yummy S’mores!

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  Introduction, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | High School

  Activity: Write the Methods Section

  In this activity, students will learn how to write and think like a scientist when they complete their lab write ups.

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  Polarity, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Monomer, Intermolecular Forces, Scientific Method, Chemical Change, Intermolecular Forces | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Watch the Baby! Superabsorbent Polymer

  In this lesson, students will learn about how polymers, specifically superabsorbent polymers, work. Through lab activities, students will investigate polymer properties.

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  Molecular Structure, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: The Effect of Different Foods on Mealworms

  In this lesson, students will look at the chemistry of the molecules of carbohydrates, fats, and lipids, and they will use this information to determine a diet for their mealworm and will collect information about the mealworm to test a hypothesis.

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  Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Melting Point, Observations, Scientific Method | Elementary School

  Lab: 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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  Observations, Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Activity: How Do We Clean Up An Oil Spill

  In this activity, students simulate an oil spill and test different materials’ ability to “clean” the oil spill.

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  Heat of Combustion, Combustion, Heat, Temperature, Calorimetry, Specific Heat, Enthalpy, Bond Energy, Scientific Method, Experimental design, Graphing, Accuracy, Error analysis | High School

  Activity: Evaluating Fuels

  In this activity, students measure the heats of combustion of four fuels and compare them as potential replacements for gasoline.

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  Introduction, Observations, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Engineering Project

  In this activity, students work together in a small team in order to solve a problem and achieve a common goal. Students will need to work collaboratively in order to be successful. They will be required to communicate their ideas both verbally and in written form, assign duties, design and carry out a procedure in this activity. They will also be challenged with problem solving when/if their original plan fails.

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  Polymers, Scientific Method, Physical Properties, Mixture | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lab: Polymer Investigation

  In this lab, students will follow the procedure for creating a polymer, flubber, which will be similar in consistency to Silly Putty. Students will then design an experiment to test a physical property of the flubber that they have created using the scientific method.

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  Density, Observations, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | Middle School, Elementary School

  Lab: Crush's Dilemma

  In this lab, students explore the concept of density. They will examine the density of a plastic sandwich bag compared to water. Students will create their own experiment and investigate factors that affect floating and sinking.

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  Inferences, Observations, Scientific Method | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Black Box

  In this activity, students will experience how scientists carry out a scientific investigation through inquiry.

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  Observations, Scientific Method, Experimental design, Error analysis | High School

  Lab: Airplanes

  In this lab, students will design a procedure to test for the intended outcome of a longest flight.

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  Observations, Inferences, Scientific Method | High School

  Demonstration: Observations vs. Inferences

  In this demonstration, students will learn the the difference between observation and inferences.

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  Percent Composition, Scientific Method, Introduction, Percent Composition | Middle School

  Lab: Mass Percent

  In this lesson, students will develop a theory of how to calculate percent composition.