Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

26 – 50 of 51 Classroom Resources

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Separating Mixtures, Observations, Mixtures, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Test Tube Separation

  In this lab, students will mix four substances in a test tube and recreate the original four layers through chemical and physical means.

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  Redox Reaction, Electron Transfer, Chemical Change, Observations, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Test Tube Geology

  In this lab, students will observe a reaction between an iron nail and copper(II) sulfate in a test tube over the course of several days, modeling how a similar reaction occurs to form copper deposits in the earth. Students will also modify the procedures to evaluate how changing a factor of their choice affects the results of the test tube reaction, introducing them to concepts of experimental design. It also introduces students to my version of the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH).

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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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  Gas Laws, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Ideal Gas, Temperature, Volume, Pressure, Density, Density, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Hot Air Balloon

  In this activity, students use their knowledge of Charles’ law to build a hot air balloon and evaluate its design.

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  Polymers, Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, History, Interdisciplinary | High School

  Lesson Plan: Give Your Car Some Bounce

  In this lesson students will learn about polymerization, specifically as it pertains to rubber tires and other materials in a vehicle. Students will take on the role of an engineer, and will investigate physical properties of different polymers and/or elastomers to determine the best material to use for an assigned product.

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  Separating Mixtures, Physical Change, Mixtures, Physical Properties, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Error Analysis | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Separation of a Mixture

  In this lab, students devise their own method to separate a mixture of sand, salt, poppy seeds, and iron filings.

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  Intermolecular Forces, Solute & Solvent, Scientific Method | High School

  Lab: Exploring Intermolecular Forces

  In this lab, students will investigate the idea that “like dissolves like” by discovering which liquids are best suited for dissolving various substances. This can serve as a great inquiry lab prior to teaching intermolecular forces.

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  Reaction Rate, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Observations, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Reaction Rate

  In this lab, students will explore factors that effect reaction rate and develop a general statement that describes how the factors (temperature, particle size, and concentration) effect the rate based on experimental data. This is an inquiry-based activity.

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  Introduction, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method, Experimental Design | High School

  Activity: Experimental Design using Science and Engineering Practices

  In this activity, students will read a short story about an experiment that was conducted about an everyday question. Then the student will decide if and how the experimenter followed the scientific method. Then they will consider their own everyday questions and propose a way to answer them experimentally.

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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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  Introduction, Scientific Method, Experimental Design | High School

  Activity: Procedure Pictures

  In this activity students are put into groups of 2 – 3 and are then charged with developing a procedure to investigate a provided “fact or fiction” statement. The twist to this task is that they are not allowed to use words; their entire procedure must be represented in pictures. This idea is based on the recent “Can You Picture That?” article by Julie Damico in the February 2014 edition of The Science Teacher magazine.

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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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  Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Physical Properties | High School, Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Designing & Engineering a Fast Defroster

  In this activity students use their understanding of energy transfer to “design a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.”  And “evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.”  The real world problem is to help a cook who is trying to make a meal, but realizes some of the ingredients are frozen and must be thawed before he can begin.

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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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  Calorimetry, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Scientific Method, Graphing, Experimental Design | High School

  Lab: Cool Science: Building and Testing a Model Radiator

  In this lab students construct a model of a car radiator to investigate parameters that lead to efficient cooling. Students investigate multiple variables as they experiment with various radiator designs. This lesson focuses on thermochemistry calculations and engineering practices.

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  Density, Observations, Inferences, Measurements, Identifying an Unknown, Error Analysis, Scientific Method | High School

  Lab: Colors of the Rainbow

  In this lab, students will practice density calculations and put their calculations to test by creating their own density column.

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  Introduction, Scientific Method | High School

  Activity: Chemistry Fact vs Fiction

  In this activity, students will read a short article, view a video, and discuss why they believe the article and video are or are not reliable sources of information. Students will then perform a basic laboratory experiment implementing the steps of the Scientific Method.

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  Catalysts, Reaction Rate, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Chemical Change, Error Analysis, Balancing Equations, Percent Yield, Stoichiometry, Chemical Change, Measurements, Error Analysis, Dimensional Analysis | High School

  Lesson Plan: Catalysis & Catalytic Converters

  In this lesson students will be introduced to catalysts while expanding their knowledge of chemical reactions and stoichiometry. They will first learn about catalytic converters and then be challenged to create the best “catalytic converter” of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen gas in an inquiry-based activity.

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

  Activity: Check Activity

  In this activity, students develop a theory based on evidence they collect from (fake) cancelled checks to come up with a story of how they are related.

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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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  Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Chemical Change, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: As Easy as Pie

  In this lab, students will use chemical and physical properties to identify an unknown powder.

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  Radiation, Alpha/Beta/Gamma Decay, Graphing, Scientific Method, Experimental Design | High School

  Lab: Alpha Beta Gamma Radiation

  In this lab, students will investigate properties of three types of ionizing radiation—alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Students will have the opportunity to design their own procedures to explore the relationship between distance and radiation intensity.

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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, Combustion, Phase Changes, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Observing a Candle

  In this lab, students accumulate observations of a candle including a look at the combustion reaction's reactants and products.

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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.