Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

26 – 50 of 52 Classroom Resources

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  Physical Properties, Density, Separating Mixtures, Matter, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, Phase Changes | Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: The Castaway!

  In this activity, students use their knowledge of the properties of matter to create and/or design items needed for survival on a deserted island.

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  Physical Properties, Density, Chemical Properties, Matter, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, Elementary School

  Activity: Astronaut on a Mission

  In this activity students will take on the role as a NASA employee on a mission to discover what resources humans need in order to survive on a planet outside of our solar system. Students will come up with a plan including a list of materials and resources needed to sustain life on another planet. They will need to compare each planet and determine which is most ready to support life.

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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 & 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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  Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Polarity | High School, Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: 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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  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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  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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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Lab: 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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  Temperature, History, Accuracy, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: The Temperature Guys Video

  This video tells the story of how temperature as we currently know it evolved. The first thermometers invented in the early 1600s are very different than ones we use today!

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  Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Silicon Video

  In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about silicon.

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  Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Gallium Video

  In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about gallium.

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  Density, Matter, Physical Properties, Measurements | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Animation: Density Animation

  In this animation, students will visualize density on the particulate level. There are opportunities to make qualitative and quantitative comparisons between substances. **This video has no audio**

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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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  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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  Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Molecular Motion, Introduction, Matter | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: Introducing States of Matter

  In this lesson, students will investigate particle behavior in different forms of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Students will have an opportunity to examine a model of the particles in the different states of matter and will also participate in a kinesthetic demonstration of matter. They will also learn what makes the states of matter different from one another when changing from one form to another.

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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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  Freezing Point, Solubility, Solute & Solvent, Phase Changes, Freezing Point Depression, Freezing Point, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: Salting Roads in Winter

  In this lesson, students investigate how the freezing point of water changes when salt is added.

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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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  Physical Properties, Introduction, Matter, Chemical Properties | Elementary School

  Activity: Properties of Matter

  In this activity, students will focus on the properties of matter and distinguish matter by their physical properties

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  Freezing Point, Density, Freezing, Phase Changes, Melting Point, Molecular Motion, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School

  Lesson Plan: Pothole Science

  In this lesson, students investigate how the density and therefore the volume, of water changes when it freezes.

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  Polymers, Scientific Method, Physical Properties, Mixtures | 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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  Observations, Mixtures, Density, Physical Properties, Mixtures | Elementary School

  Activity: 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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  Polymers, Physical Properties, Introduction, Observations | Elementary School

  Activity: 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.