Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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1 – 25 of 90 Classroom Resources
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Chemical Change, Physical Change, Observations, Molecular Structure, Lewis Structures, Polarity, Chemical Change | High School
Lab: DIY Triiodide Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will investigate how iodine interacts with various substances. They will use color changes to justify whether a chemical or physical change is taking place. This activity is referenced in the October 2019 ChemMatters article called “Cash, Chemistry, and Counterfeiting.”
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Density, Observations | Middle School
Lesson Plan: Understanding Density Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lesson, students will explain phenomena using their knowledge of how changes in mass and volume can affect the density of an object.
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Density, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School
Lab: Under the Sea: A Density Aquarium! Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lab, students will create a density aquarium. They will develop a written response comparing and contrasting the densities of the various objects within the aquarium. This lab is designed for students to work in groups after they have an understanding of density and other physical properties.
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Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | Elementary School
Activity: Junior Technologist of Floor Care Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this activity students will take the role of the Junior Technologist of Floor Care, whereby students have the opportunity to study the properties of a chemical used for finishing floor tile. They will examine the tiles appearance to discover which chemical provides the best sheen and durability.
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Scientific Method, Observations | Middle School
Lab: Which Paint is the most Cost-Effective Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
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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Measurements, Dimensional Analysis, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Mixture, Matter, Observations | Middle School, High School
Activity: Cupcake Conversions, Bench to Bakery Mark as Favorite (10 Favorites)
This activity will help to reinforce the importance of scientific measurement and apply it to the introduction of chemical reactions. Using an example of baking a single batch of cupcakes, students will plan for a larger production scale in a commercial bakery. This will help to introduce the idea of producing a reaction at the lab bench and converting it to mass production. In addition this activity investigates how chemistry is used in everyday life and challenges students to consider potentials errors that may occur when completing chemical reactions in the kitchen.
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Matter, Physical Properties, Observations | Elementary School
Activity: Is Air Matter? Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
In this activity, students will conduct an investigation to discover whether or not air is a form of matter. Students will first gather data, and then make a claim. They will communicate their claim in writing, using their data to support their claim.
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Physical Properties, Observations, Matter | Elementary School
Activity: Describing Physical Properties Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use their five senses to describe the physical properties of a variety of items. Students will also determine what state of matter the item is, and categorize it accordingly. Students will practice using vocabulary words as they record their observations in a data table.
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Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Acid Base Reactions, Observations | Middle School, High School
Lab: How do Sinkholes Form? Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lab students will learn how acidic groundwater reacts with limestone, causing it to erode. Sinkholes form when eroded limestone underneath the surface of the earth can no longer support the ground above it. Students will test how acid reacts with a variety of rocks and determine which rocks would be best to build a city on top of in order to reduce the chance of sinkholes forming.
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Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School
Lab: It's Alive Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will practice making and recording observations, analyzing data, and identifying chemical change. They will transfer dirt, germs, and bacteria from their hands onto a piece of white bread and observe the changes that occur during the following days. Students will analyze the results, make comparisons between clean and dirty samples of bread and learn about the importance of hand-cleaning.
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Conservation of Mass, Observations, History, Measurements, SI Units | Middle School, High School
Activity: Lavoisier Video Questions Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video about Antoine Lavoisier, who many consider to be the father of modern chemistry. They will answer questions as they learn about oxygen, hydrogen, and the first proposal of the Law of the Conservation of Mass.
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History, Physical Properties, Matter, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Ancient Chemistry Video Questions Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video about the history of chemistry. They will answer questions while learning about the history of chemistry, starting with the discovery of fire, progressing through the various metal ages, and be introduced to the great philosophers.
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Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Observations, Indicators | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Explorations of Baking Soda and Vinegar Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this lesson, students complete a series of simple lab experiments to better understand chemical reactions as well as differentiate between chemical change and physical change. Students will also be introduced to the pH scale, and have the opportunity to understand how chemical reactions can be used in real-world scenarios.
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Density, Observations, Measurements | Middle School, High School
Lab: Penny Boats Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this lab, students will explore Archimedes’ Principle and how it relates to density. Each student will be given a piece of aluminum foil and asked to design and build a boat that will hold as many pennies as possible without sinking when placed in water.
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Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Polymers | Elementary School, Middle School
Lab: Paper or Plastic? Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this lab students will research and compare the physical properties of various types of plastic bags. The recorded data will be analyzed by students, and they will use the results to design a plastic bag to meet a given set of criteria.
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Physical Change, Physical Properties, Observations | Elementary School
Lab: Changing Shape Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lab students will analyze the physical properties of different materials in order to investigate their elasticity. They will learn how to differentiate between objects that can easily change shape and those that cannot. Also they will see that some objects can change shape, but can also return to their original shape. As the students learn about material properties, they will also determine what materials can be recycled.
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Mixture, Physical Properties, Observations, Mixtures, Solute & Solvent | Middle School
Lesson Plan: How Fast Does it Flow? Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
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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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 Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
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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Separating Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Conservation of Matter | Elementary School
Activity: How is Chemistry Used in Your Everyday Life? Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lesson the students will become familiar with some ways that chemistry is present in their everyday lives. The teacher will read a book and show a short video about how a plastic bottle is made. Following these activities, students will interact with a variety of materials made of plastic, ultimately organizing them according to the recycling code printed on the bottom of each or by physical properties. Finally students will collect data and have an opportunity to construct a graph based on their data.
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Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Catalysts, Observations | Middle School, High School
Demonstration: Catalyst in Motion Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
This demonstration allows students to visualize how a catalyst can impact a chemical reaction. Students will also identify the products of a decomposition reaction, as well as determine if the reaction was endothermic or exothermic based on their observations.
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Physical Properties, Observations, Mixtures | Elementary School
Lab: Ferromagnetic Fluid Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab students will investigate the properties of ferromagnetic fluid and magnetism. Students will also have the opportunity to complete research about magnetic properties to help answer analysis questions.
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Mixtures, Polarity, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School
Demonstration: Colorful Milk Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
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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Physical Properties, Observations, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School
Lab: Soil Permeability Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lab, students will learn about the draining properties of different types of soil and how it affects the type of plants that can grow in those soils.
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Observations, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School
Lab: The pH of Soil Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will determine and compare the pH of different types of soil from their school, homes, or neighborhoods. Students will then decide what types of plants can grow in acidic or alkaline soils.
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Separating Mixtures, Observations | Elementary School
Lab: Settle that Soil Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lab, students will learn about what properties constitute soil and how it is different than “dirt.” Students will also be able to distinguish the difference between sand, silt, and clay.