Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

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26 – 50 of 657 Classroom Resources

  • Elements, Review | Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Chemistry Pyramids Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will use the periodic table, combined with math and logic to solve several chemistry themed pyramid puzzles. In a traditional pyramid puzzle, there is a relationship between the numbers, which is used to determine the missing numbers. In all of these chemistry pyramids, each element symbol is determined by the sum of the two atomic numbers of the elements directly below it. Students are challenged with determining the missing element symbols in each puzzle, but first must use a periodic table to find the atomic number for each element symbol appearing in the puzzle. This activity is a fun challenge for students and provides the opportunity to strengthen logic and reasoning skills.

  • Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Lab Safety, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Animation: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction Animation Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)

    This animation explores the relationship between physical properties and particle-level interactions. Particle diagrams of common household substances are used to illustrate that forces of attraction influence melting points. Similarly, particle diagrams of the same substances dissolved in water are used to compare their conductivity in solution. This animation was featured in the November 2023 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**

  • Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Lab Safety, Molecules & Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion, Solutions, Conductivity, States of Matter, Melting Point, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Animation Activity: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the relationship between physical properties and particle-level interactions. Particle diagrams of common household substances are used to illustrate that forces of attraction influence melting points. Similarly, particle diagrams of the same substances dissolved in water are used to compare their conductivity in solution.

  • Polyatomic Ions | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Polyatomic Ion Word Search Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will be challenged to recognize and identify common polyatomic ions by name and chemical formula. Unlike a traditional word search puzzle, students are only provided with a list of formulas for 24 polyatomic ions, instead of the names of each. They are tasked with finding the corresponding ion names hidden in the puzzle, and then must match each one with its correct formula.

  • Electromagnetic Spectrum, Observations, Scientific Method, Experimental Design, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Chemical Properties | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: Screen Your Sunscreen! Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)

    In this lesson, students will learn more about UV radiation, its effect on skin, and the different ways in which sunscreen protects skin. After exploring this, students will develop an investigation to assess the claims made by different sun protection products. Students will compare the effectiveness of a variety of sunscreens and/or clothing that claim to offer sun protection. The lab will be wrapped up with a CER-style report.

  • Separating Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School

    Activity: Investigating Crude Oil Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about crude oil and the process of fractional distillation. They will see how this process effectively separates a mixture and the importance of understanding physical properties.

  • Elements, Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Simulation Activity: What Type of Element Are You? Mark as Favorite (27 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will take a nine question personality quiz to determine which of four types of elements best matches their personality. They will then have an opportunity to reflect on why their answers led to their final quiz results and to consider what the "personality profile" of other types of elements not included in this quiz might look like.

  • Elements, Interdisciplinary, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School

    Simulation: What Type of Element Are You? Mark as Favorite (41 Favorites)

    In this simulation, students will take a nine question personality quiz to determine which of four types of elements best matches their personality. The accompanying student activity provides students an opportunity to reflect on why their answers led to their final quiz results and to consider what the "personality profile" of other types of elements not included in this quiz might look like.

  • Chemical Change, Error Analysis, History, Exothermic & Endothermic, Chemical Change | Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: The Chemistry of Casts Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)

    In this lesson, students will learn about the history of the chemistry involved in creating orthopedic casts. Students will then work in small groups to conduct a hands-on experiment in which they will determine the optimum plaster of Paris to water ratio for model casts.

  • Observations, Mixtures, Physical Properties, Molecular Structure | Elementary School, Middle School

    Demonstration: Investigating Hand Sanitizer and Soap Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)

    In this demonstration, students will consider the purpose of using both hand sanitizer and soap to wash their hands. They will observe a model of the interaction between hand sanitizer particles and virus particles, as well as between soap particles and virus particles to gain a better understanding of how soaps and sanitizers work.

  • History, Interdisciplinary | High School

    Lesson Plan: Marie Maynard Daly Mark as Favorite (10 Favorites)

    In this lesson, students will learn about the significant contributions to chemistry by Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in chemistry in the U.S. Students will read an article and engage in related activities that help to promote literacy in the science classroom. Parts of this lesson could be used as plans for a substitute teacher. This lesson provides teachers with strategies to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in the chemistry curriculum.

  • Measurements, Significant Figures, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Intermolecular Forces, Accuracy, Error Analysis | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: Fit for Consumption? Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)

    In this lesson, students will learn about a product recall of baby formula. Students will explore regulations around foods for human consumption and the quality control process that is part of food production. They will use their knowledge of the difference in intermolecular forces between solids and liquids to determine the moisture content in samples of powders. Students will then assume the role of quality control technicians and write a report in which they provide a data-informed decision as to whether their batch should be discarded or is fit for consumption.

  • Physical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Radioactive Isotopes | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Physical, Chemical and Nuclear Changes Mark as Favorite (57 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will analyze the representation of physical, chemical, and nuclear changes in four ways: submicroscopic (particle diagrams), symbolic (equations), macroscopic (observations), and linguistic (vocabulary words). This self-guided activity is designed to ensure that students internalize fundamental chemistry concepts that will serve as a meaningful basis for future learning about matter and its changes.

  • Alpha/Beta/Gamma Decay, Radioactive Isotopes, Graphing | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: The Nuclear Decay of Uranium Mark as Favorite (21 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will model the Uranium decay series through nuclear equations, graphing, and particulate diagrams.

  • History, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Molecular Structure , Functional Groups | High School

    Lesson Plan: Introduction to Flavor Chemistry Mark as Favorite (13 Favorites)

    In this lesson, students will read an article about flavor chemistry to learn about the science of tasting. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading and help students experience what they’ve read about. One part, the Job Interview, could be used as plans for a substitute teacher since the activity is self-guided.

  • Solutions, Concentration, Solubility, Molarity, Graphing | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Concentration and Solubility Mark as Favorite (22 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will use news articles and EPA publications to compare Federal drinking water regulations to the concentrations found in Flint, Michigan. Students are introduced to the unit parts per billion (ppb) and compare it both conceptually and mathematically to molarity. As a group, students use data to compare the solubility of various lead salts and perform solubility calculations.

  • Elements, Periodic Table, Review | High School

    Activity: Clueless Crossword Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will need a pencil and eraser as they are challenged to complete a crossword puzzle without any traditional clues! Instead, students are given a list of element symbols and tasked with determining the element name for each symbol. Then, using the names, they will then attempt to place each one correctly in the puzzle. With only one possible solution, this puzzle can be very tricky!

  • Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Physical Properties, Distillation | Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Animation Activity: Separating Mixtures Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will view an animation that explores different ways of separating a variety of mixtures. The separation techniques addressed in this animation include filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography (focusing on paper chromatography). Real-world applications as well as particle diagrams of the separation processes are included.

  • Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Animation: Separating Mixtures Animation Mark as Favorite (19 Favorites)

    This animation explores different ways of separating a variety of mixtures. The separation techniques addressed in this animation include filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography (focusing on paper chromatography). Real-world applications as well as particle diagrams of the separation processes are included. This animation was featured in the May 2023 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**

  • Measurements, Graphing, Interdisciplinary | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Modeling Algae Growth Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will read a ChemMatters article about the science of algal blooms to learn how the blooms affect ecosystems. While developing their understanding, students will create a mathematical model to predict algal growth.

  • Photosynthesis, Interdisciplinary | Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: Algae – The Good, the Bad, and the Tasty Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)

    In this lesson, students will learn about the chemistry of algae, while working in a small group to become an expert on a specific type of algae. Divided into four parts the lesson is designed for students to investigate the process of photosynthesis, learn about the variety of uses for algae as well as products that contain algae, and the harmful effects of algae, such as red tides. As a culminating task, student groups will each complete a short presentation.

  • Solubility, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Paper Flower Blossoms Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will investigate solubility by using a combination of washable markers and permanent ink to color a paper flower. The petals of the flower will be folded, and then placed in a shallow dish of water. Students will be intrigued by the outcome as they observe several changes occur. Using their knowledge of several fundamental chemistry topics, student will explain their observations using evidence and modeling.

  • Observations, Physical Properties, Solubility, Ionic Bonding | High School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Microscopic Wonder Mark as Favorite (19 Favorites)

    In this lab, students observe and describe the shape, size, and arrangement of salt crystals at various magnifications under a microscope and then compare the properties of each microscopically.

  • Interdisciplinary, Photosynthesis | High School

    Activity: Algae Trivia Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will participate in a trivia game created in support of the 2023 Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) theme, The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae. Students will participate individually or as a team to test their knowledge about algae and related chemistry topics.

  • Review, Culminating Project, Stoichiometry | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: The Chemistry Escape Room Remix Mark as Favorite (57 Favorites)

    In this activity, students will apply their chemistry knowledge in order to solve ten clues in an effort to determine a three-digit combination that will open a “lock.” This is ideal for a review activity, as the clues span a plethora of chemistry topics. The solution from each clue will be used to correctly write a chemical reaction and a corresponding stoichiometry calculation. Ultimately, by solving the stoichiometry calculation, the answer will match the numbers in the three-digit combination and open the “lock.”

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