Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
26 – 50 of 103 Classroom Resources
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Interdisciplinary, Periodic Table | High School
Project: Repurpose the Periodic Table
In this project, students will take the principles governing the organization of the periodic table and apply them to a periodic table of their own creation. Students will choose a category of objects and organize them into a “periodic table,” establishing trends across a period and within a group and creating a poster to present their table to the class.
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Interdisciplinary, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 2 Kristala L. Jones Prather Video Questions
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video from the Spellbound series produced by ACS. Each episode focuses on a different notable scientist, recounting how their interest in science was sparked in their childhood and how they went on to make great contributions to the scientific community. This second episode focuses on the childhood of Kristala L. Jones Prather, who went on to become a chemical engineer and award-winning professor.
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Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 1 Ahmed Zewail Video Questions
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video from the Spellbound series produced by ACS. Each episode focuses on a different notable scientist, recounting how their interest in science was sparked in their childhood and how they went on to make great contributions to the scientific community. This first episode focuses on the childhood of Ahmed Zewail, who went on to become the 1999 Chemistry Nobel Laureate.
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Elements, Interdisciplinary | High School
Activity: Investigating the Chemistry under Your School
In this activity, students investigate the earth chemistry under their school by examining what rocks or other materials are found there use geological maps. Students determine how the rocks are affected by surface conditions, like the weather.
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Interdisciplinary, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Electromagnetic Spectrum
In this animation, students will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on the visible spectrum. It addresses the relationship between color, wavelength, frequency, and energy of light waves, as well as how an object absorbs and reflects certain wavelengths of light to contribute to the color we perceive.
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Interdisciplinary, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Animation: The Electromagnetic Spectrum Animation
In this animation, students will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on the visible spectrum. It addresses the relationship between color, wavelength, frequency, and energy of light waves, as well as how an object absorbs and reflects certain wavelengths of light to contribute to the color we perceive.
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Intermolecular Forces, Elements, Interdisciplinary, Percent Composition | High School
Activity: Investigating how the Chemistry of Plate Tectonics Affects Volcanoes
In this activity, students will learn about the impact chemistry has on plate tectonics and volcanoes. Students will analyze graphs and charts in order to better understand these topics during this investigation.
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Introduction, Interdisciplinary, Review, Culminating Project | High School
Activity: Chemists in the Real World
In this activity, students will research a variety of chemistry careers to learn about job options in the field of chemistry. Students who often ask “when am I ever going to use this?!” can find some real-world examples of people who use chemistry in their jobs.
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Interdisciplinary, Photosynthesis | Elementary School
Activity: Sunshine for Life
In this activity, students will become familiar with the chemistry components of photosynthesis. They will use role-play and/or demonstrations to describe the purpose of photosynthesis in this activity.
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Density, Elements, Interdisciplinary | High School
Activity: Applying Density to Earth
In this activity, students will analyze data related to elevation and rock composition, in order to better understand the impact that density has on earth chemistry.
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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Heat, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School
Video: Frontiers of Chemistry
This video explores new scientific developments that were made possible by the application of fundamental chemistry concepts. Students will learn about exciting advances in science and technology focused on three main topics: Solar Cells, 3D Printing and Micro Machines.
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Interdisciplinary, Heat, Temperature, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Graphing, Radiation, Experimental Design | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: The Ozone Layer
In this lesson, students will develop an explanation for the consequences of ozone depletion on Earth by planning and carrying out an investigation. Students will use analysis and interpretation of data to develop a model to explain the cause and effect of Ozone depletion on the planet Earth.
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Elements, Interdisciplinary, Molecular Formula, Molecular Structure | High School
Activity: Discovering Minerals as Naturally Occurring Compounds
In this activity, students will learn about the basics of earth chemistry. Students will investigate and analyze the composition of various minerals, while drawing connections to their chemistry content knowledge. Additionally, students will examine the chemical make-up of the earth’s crust and interpret associated data.
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Interdisciplinary, Photosynthesis | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Investigating Photosynthesis
In this lesson, students will build knowledge through reading an assigned passage, as well as analyze evidence produced from a teacher led demonstration to better understand the process of photosynthesis.
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Physical Properties, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Interdisciplinary, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Culminating Project, Molecular Structure, Chemical Properties, Metallic Bonding, Intramolecular Forces | High School
Project: Problem-Solving with Materials
In this project, students will develop a presentation to explain how and why a specific material can solve a problem. The explanation will involve researching the properties of the material and how its properties are suited for solving a specific problem.
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Interdisciplinary, History, Review | Middle School, High School
Project: Create a Chemistry App
In this project, students will use Google accounts to create chemistry-themed apps, with no programming required. They will create a Google Drive spreadsheet containing scientific information, and link it to a free account on Glideapps.com. They will personalize the app on the Glideapps website. The resulting app will be available to view on devices that have the correct link.
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Interdisciplinary, Polymers, Culminating Project | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Cleaning-up the Plastic Island
In this lesson, students will develop an understanding of the chemistry of plastics and apply their knowledge in order to engineer a cost effective and environmentally friendly method to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Frontiers of Chemistry: Video Questions
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about several exciting scientific developments, including solar cells, 3D printing and micro machines. This video will help students understand that fundamental chemistry concepts are essential to the advancement of science and technology.
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Interdisciplinary, Indicators | Middle School, High School
Lab: Exhaling Acid
In this lab students will observe how increased carbon dioxide levels lead to a build-up of acidic conditions.
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Observations, Physical Properties, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School
Lab: Soil Permeability
In this lab, students will learn about the draining properties of different types of soil and how it affects the type of plants that can grow in those soils.
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Observations, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School
Lab: The pH of Soil
In this lab, students will determine and compare the pH of different types of soil from their school, homes, or neighborhoods. Students will then decide what types of plants can grow in acidic or alkaline soils.
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Renewable Energy, Interdisciplinary, Conservation of Matter, Matter | Elementary School
Lab: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle!
In this lab students will explore ways to conserve natural resources. They will then have the opportunity to create their own recycled paper that can be used in the classroom.
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Physical Properties, Interdisciplinary, Physical Change, Matter, Separating Mixtures, Mixtures | Elementary School
Activity: Creating Finger-Paint from Rocks
In this activity, the students will explore the physical properties of different rocks. Students will have the opportunity to physically change the rocks, and make them part of a mixture in order to create finger paint.
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Separating Mixtures, Density, Physical Properties, Phase Changes, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project, Matter | 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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Density, Physical Properties, Interdisciplinary, Matter, Chemical Properties | Elementary School, Middle 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.