Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

26 – 50 of 60 Classroom Resources

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

  Demonstration: 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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  Separating Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Mixtures | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lesson Plan: 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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  Separating Mixtures, Physical Properties, Observations, Matter, Introduction, Mixtures | Elementary School

  Activity: Sandbox!

  In this activity the students will separate a mixture and classify objects by their physical properties.

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  Observations, Density, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Demonstration: 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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  Density, Physical Properties, Matter, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lab: 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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  Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Oxidation | Elementary School

  Demonstration: 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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  Matter, Physical Properties, Observations, Phase Changes | Elementary School

  Activity: Matter Can Taste Good!

  In this activity, students will be introduced to the general differences and organization of particles in each state of matter: solid, liquid and gas. They will have the opportunity to compare the samples and then will identify each state of matter during an edible activity.

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Observations | Elementary School

  Lab: 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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  Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Acid | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: 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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  Physical Properties, Density, Observations, Mixtures | Elementary School

  Activity: Discovery Tubes

  This is a fun, visual activity for young students. It allows for understanding of fundamental chemistry topics, including mixtures, miscibility, density and viscosity while analyzing a handheld colorful toy.

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  Conservation of Mass, History, Observations, Measurements, SI Units | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Antoine Lavoisier Video

  This video tells the story of Antoine Lavoisier who many consider to be the father or modern chemistry. Lavoisier discovered oxygen and hydrogen and first proposed the Law of Conservation of Mass.

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  History, Physical Properties, Observations, Model of the Atom | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Ancient Chemistry Video

  This video traces the history of chemistry from the discovery of fire, through the various metal ages, and finally to the great philosophers.

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  Phase Changes, Physical Change, Melting Point, Introduction, Observations | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: Let's Get Physical About Water

  In this lesson, students will learn about the phase changes of matter. During the course of two days students will perform several short experiments in order to change the state of water and they will record their observations.

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  Density, Physical Properties, Introduction, Observations, Mixtures | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: What is Density

  In this two-part lesson, students will learn about density through a teacher-led demonstration and a hands-on activity. The demonstration will give students the opportunity to observe the formation of a density tower made from common drinks. Students will then create their own density tower using simple ingredients, and then further investigate differences in density when solid objects are added to the tower.

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  Reaction Rate, Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Catalysts | Elementary School

  Lab: 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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  Density, Density, Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Combustion | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: 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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  Chemical Change, Phase Changes, Combustion, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: The Jumping Flame

  In this demonstration, students will observe that the vapor of an extinguished candle flame is ignitable.

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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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  Physical Properties, Observations, Matter | Elementary School

  Activity: Sorting Buttons

  In this lab, students will investigate observable properties of matter. Students will use their knowledge of physical properties to create and separate mixtures of assorted buttons based on the characteristics of color, shape and number of holes.

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  Observations, Density, Physical Properties, Introduction | Elementary School

  Activity: Sink or Float

  In this activity, students investigate whether certain materials will sink or float in water. Students will also explore how the shape of an object can affect its volume and density.

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  Reaction Rate, Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Observations | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Demonstration: Simple Kinetics

  In this demonstration, students will see that different food dyes react with bleach at different rates.

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  Indicators, Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Observations | High School, Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Secret Message

  In this lesson, students will observe a hidden message while understanding simple acid/base chemistry and indicators.

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  Polarity, Mixtures, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Physical Properties, Observations, Mixtures | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Lab: 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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  Chemical Change, Observations, Inferences, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: Strawberry DNA & CSI

  In this lesson, students will extract DNA from strawberries and analyze evidence to figure out who perpetrated a petty crime.

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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.