Kitchen Chemistry
93 Classroom Resources
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Lab | Chemistry Basics, Interdisciplinary, Observations | Middle School
Jello Lenses
In this lab activity students will explore and compare how different lenses made from Jello can magnify text. Student lab groups will make Jello lenses using different sized measuring spoons, small bowls, and cookie dough scoops. They will then observe if the size of the lens changes magnification.
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Lab | Dimensional Analysis, Pressure, SI Units | High School
Investigating the Power of Air Pressure
In this lab, students will investigate air pressure through several short experiments. They will become more familiar with the concept of air pressure and its corresponding units of measurement. Students will be challenged to interpret their observations through modeling particle diagrams.
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Activity | Anode, Cathode, Electricity, Law of Conservation of Energy | Elementary School
Modeling the Basic Structure of a Lithium-Ion Battery
In this activity, young students will build a simplified model of a lithium ion battery. The model will include “lithium ions” that can be observed moving between the cathode and anode. During the activity students will learn the difference between energy storage and energy conversion, and that batteries are amazing because they do both.
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Project | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Chemical Properties, Culminating Project, Mixtures, Molecular Structure, Physical Change, Physical Properties | High School
Analyze a Family Recipe
In this project, students will select a family recipe, or a favorite recipe to investigate. They will analyze several of the ingredients in order learn more about the chemistry of each one, as well as their purpose in the recipe. Additionally, students will examine several ingredient interactions to learn more about the chemistry of cooking.
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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Experimental Design, Inferences, Observations, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School
What Causes Yeast to Ferment?
In this lesson, students will observe and verify molasses sugar content as a result of its ability to ferment yeast. They will compare how molasses allows yeast to ferment with other sugar solutions as well as a sugar-free solution.
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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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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 | Dimensional Analysis, Matter, Measurements, Mixtures, 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 | 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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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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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 | 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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Activity | Chemical Change, Matter, Mixtures, 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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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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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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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass, Conservation of Mass, Limiting Reactant, Observations, Stoichiometry | 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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Activity | Concentration, Molality, 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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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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Lesson Plan | Mixtures, 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 | 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 | 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 | 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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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, 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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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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Lesson Plan | Chemical Properties, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties | 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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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 | Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic | High School
Little Miss Muffet
In this lab, students make homemade glue from milk and compare it to commercial glue.
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Lab | Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Melting Point, Molecular Structure | High School
Ionic vs. Covalent Compounds
In this lab, students will compare two seemingly similar substances, salt and sugar. Through melting a sample of each substance and analyze of their chemical composition, students will draw conclusions regarding ionic and covalent compounds.
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Lab | Inferences, Intermolecular Forces, Mixtures, Observations, Scientific Method | High School
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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Lab | Density, Measurements | High School
Can it Float?
In this lab, students will investigate the relationships between mass, volume, density and buoyancy in common objects. Students will be tasked with determining the volume of a variety of objects as well as interpreting the meaning of their buoyancy in water.
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Lab | Concentration, Interdisciplinary, Measurements, Mixtures, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School
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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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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Lab | Freezing Point, Freezing Point Depression, Phase Changes | High School, Middle School
Freezing Ice Cream
In this lab, students will investigate changing states of matter, chemical reactions, and the properties of ice and salt while creating their own ice cream.
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Lab | Density, Matter, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School
Comparing Density of Liquids & 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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Demonstration | 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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Activity | Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Polarity | Elementary School, High School, Middle 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/phenomena: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action.
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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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Lesson Plan | 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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Lab | Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Density, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Change | High School
The Lovely Lava Lamp
In this lab, students add food coloring to a mixture of oil and water and record their observations. They then add an Alka-Seltzer tablet, record their observations and answer a series of questions about the chemical and physical changes that took place.
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Lab | Acid Base Reactions, Reaction Rate, Reaction Rate | High School, Middle School
Plop, Fizz: How to Affect the Rate of a Chemical Reaction
In this lesson, students will react Alka-Seltzer tablets with water. By varying the temperature of the water, particle size of the Alka-Seltzer, and concentration of the Alka-Seltzer they can see the effect on the rate and strength of the chemical reaction.
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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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Lab | Electrons, Ions, Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Subatomic Particles, Valence Electrons | 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 | 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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Lab | Reaction Rate, Solubility, Solute & Solvent | Elementary School
M&M's Solution
In this lab, students will investigate dissolving using M&M’s and will determine whether dissolving happens faster without assistance, or with the assistance of the tongue and teeth.
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Lab | Precipitate, Saturated/Unsaturated/Supersaturated, 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 | 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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Demonstration | Inferences, Molecular Motion, Observations, 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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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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Lesson Plan | Chemical Change, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure, Monomer, Polarity, Polymers, Scientific Method | Middle School
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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Lab | Graphing, Half Lives | High School
Twizzler Half-Life
In this lab, students will better understand the concept of half-lives.
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Lab | Chemical Properties, History, Interdisciplinary, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties | High School, Middle School
Top Secret
In this lab, students will learn about the history of invisible ink and will have the opportunity to compare two types of homemade invisible ink recipes.
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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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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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Lab | 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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Activity | Chemical Change, History, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School
Tie Dye
In this activity, students make tie-dye shirts and complete a worksheet about a reading from ChemMatters about how dyes work. It gives students the opportunity to apply chemistry to everyday life.
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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass, Exothermic & Endothermic, Inferences, Limiting Reactant, Observations, Stoichiometry | High School
Introducing 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 Ziploc bags. 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. Students will also determine if the reaction is an endothermic or exothermic process based on their observations.
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Lab | Concentration, Mixtures, Percent Composition, Solubility, Solute & Solvent | Middle School
The Perfect Kool-Aid Concentration
In this lab, the students will investigate how the concentration of a solution affects its properties such as color and taste.
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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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Activity | Balancing Equations, Dimensional Analysis, Limiting Reactant, Molar Mass, Mole Concept, Stoichiometry | High School
Sweet Stoichiometry Reactions
In this activity, students will use candy to investigate stoichiometry and mole-gram relationships in chemical equations, but could also be used to introduce the concept of limiting reactants.
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Activity | Interdisciplinary, Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Scientific Method, Separating Mixtures | High School, Middle School
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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Lab | Chemical Change, Heat, History, Interdisciplinary, Temperature, Temperature | High School, Middle School
Greenhouse Gas Simulation
In this lab, students will create two simulations of the Earth’s atmosphere. They will compare a control model with a one that has an increased presence of carbon dioxide gas in order to analyze how this effects temperature. They will also complete research in order to learn more about the makeup of the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Activity | Balancing Equations, Dimensional Analysis, Limiting Reactant, Measurements, Mole Concept, Stoichiometry | High School
S'more Stoichiometry
In this activity, students determine the number of graham crackers and chocolate pieces required to complete a “reaction” with a given quantity of marshmallows (the limiting reactant). They then use the same thought process with a problem involving a real chemical reaction.
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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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Demonstration | Chemical Change, Combustion, Density, Observations | High School
Fish Tank Carbon Dioxide
In this demonstration, students watch as a reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide, which then causes lit candles to extinguish.
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Lab | Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Mixtures, 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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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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Activity | Mole Concept | High School
Popcorn Counting Unit
In this activity, students develop a new method of counting objects, called the PCU, and compare this method to the concept of the mole.
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Activity | Dimensional Analysis, Limiting Reactant, Percent Yield, Stoichiometry | High School
Cookie Stoichiometry
In this activity, students use a chocolate chip cookie recipe to answer questions related to stoichiometry, percent yield, and limiting reactants.
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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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Activity | Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Polymers, Polymers | High School
Molecular Spaghetti
In this activity, students will discover how the entanglement in cooked spaghetti depends on the length of the spaghetti strands and relate this discovery to polymeric materials.
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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, Density, Density, Inferences, Observations | High School, Middle School
Comparing Gas Density
In this demonstration, students will observe a reaction between baking soda and vinegar in the presence of a variety of different heights of lit candles. 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 candles to extinguish in order of height. Students will analyze and compare the presence of the gases in the container and make determinations about the densities of each.
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Activity | Density, Mixtures, 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 | Physical Change, Solubility, Solute & Solvent | High School, Middle School
Chemistree
In this lab, students will prepare a solution to observe a physical change.
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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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Activity | Dimensional Analysis, Measurements, Mole Concept | High School
Bring Me A Mole
In this lab, students take an abstract concept, the mole, and turn it into a real measurable concept.
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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 | Atomic Mass, Isotopes, Measurements | High School
Beanium Isotopes
In this activity, students will determine the average atomic mass of a sample of an imaginary element called Beanium.
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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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Lab | Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Density, Mixtures, 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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Lesson Plan | Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Inferences, Observations, 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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Lab | Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | Elementary School
My Pennies
In this lab, students will investigate how an acidic, vinegar based solution can help to get “dirty” pennies clean. Students will observe chemical change and investigate real-world connections to this lab.
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Lab | Density, Dimensional Analysis, Mole Concept | High School
Moles of Food
In this lab, students will analyze the nutrition label of a variety of foods to find the amount of specific elements in each serving. Students are asked to evaluate and compare the data in a series of questions, in order to convert the values to moles. This lab gives students the opportunity to see the connection between the chemistry mole concept and everyday foods.
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Lab | Concentration, Dimensional Analysis, Measurements, Mixtures, Molarity, Mole Concept, Solute & Solvent | High School
Molarity of a Solution
In this lab, students calculate concentrations of and perform dilutions of Kool-Aid and juice solutions.
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Demonstration | Acids & Bases, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Mixtures, 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 | Density, Inferences, Mixtures, Mixtures, Observations | High School, Middle School
Density Tubes
In this demonstration, students will have the opportunity to observe and analyze the density of a solution. Students will interpret their observations as they compare the density of the solution with plastic components.
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Simulation | Density, Density, Gas Laws, Ideal Gas, Molecular Motion, Physical Properties, Pressure, Temperature, Volume | High School, Middle School
Density
The simulation for the September 2015 issue allows students to investigate the effect of changing variables on both the volume and the density of a solid, a liquid, and a gas sample. Students will analyze the different states of matter at the particle level as well as quantitatively.