Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

126 – 150 of 158 Classroom Resources

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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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  Acid & Base Theories, Strong vs Weak, History | Middle School, High School

  Video: Acid & Base Guys Video

  This video tells the story of how the definition of acids and bases has evolved from Lavoisier, to Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis.

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  Periodic Table, Elements, Introduction, History, Atoms, Electrons, Subatomic Particles | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Activity: Writing Your Name using Chemical Element Symbols

  In this activity, students will use their creativity to spell their name (first or middle name and their last name) using chemical symbols of elements on the periodic table. For example, you can spell Yvonne using the symbols for yttrium (Y), vanadium (V), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and neon (Ne).

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  Lab Safety | High School, Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: What Not to do in the Chemistry Lab

  In this activity, students will examine a cartoon of a chaotic chemistry laboratory and note the specific behaviors that are dangerous and unsafe in a chemistry laboratory setting. This activity provides an opportunity for teachers to introduce laboratory safety and best laboratory practices and discuss them with their students.

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  Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Observations, Molecular Motion | High School, Middle School

  Activity: What Makes Something Feel Warm

  In this lesson students actively engage in thinking about energy issues in chemistry and the nature of energy (thermal) transfer. The idea that temperature is a measure of heat content will be challenged, and students will be given the opportunity to collect data that will allow them to clearly see that different materials transfer energy at different rates.

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  Conservation of Mass, Balancing Equations, Limiting Reactant, Introduction, Conservation of Mass | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Kinesthetic Reactions

  In this lesson students, through their physical movement, will model the law of conservation of mass during a chemical reaction. Students will also explore the concepts of limiting and excess reactants as well as balancing a chemical equation. Through this activity they also develop a means of representing particles at the molecular level.

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  Elements, Model of the Atom, History, Introduction, Matter, Observations, Periodic Table, Culminating Project, Atoms | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words?

  In this activity, students will learn about early chemistry discoveries through a textbook reading as well as from a cartoon.

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  Molecular Formula, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Geometry, Naming Compounds, Lewis Structures, Periodic Table, Valence Electrons, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Ions, Subatomic Particles | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: Ionic and Covalent Bonding

  In this simulation, students investigate both ionic and covalent bonding. Students will have the opportunity to interact with many possible combinations of atoms and will be tasked with determining the type of bond and the number of atom needed to form each. The simulation visually differentiates between the transferring of electrons when forming an ionic compound and the sharing of electrons when forming a covalent compound so that students can have a complete understanding of each. Finally, students will become familiar with the molecular formula, as well as the naming system for each type of bond and geometric shape, when applicable.

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  History, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Tie Dye

  In this activity, students make tie-dye shirts and complete a worksheet about a reading from ChemMatters about how dyes work. It gives students the opportunity to apply chemistry to everyday life.

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  Review, Subatomic Particles, Ions, Isotopes, Electrons, Atomic Mass, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Model of the Atom, Balancing Equations | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Tic-Tac-Toe Review

  In this activity students collaborate to complete tic-tac-toe review questions to prepare for a test on the atomic structure unit. The idea behind the activity is to give students choice and you can read more about the inspiration for the activity in the May issue of Chemistry Solutions.

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  Intermolecular Forces, Physical Properties, Melting Point, Boiling Point | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: Exploring Intermolecular Forces with Odyssey

  In this simulation, students will learn about the different intermolecular forces. They will use the simulation to see how molecules in various species interact with one another.

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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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  Gas Laws, Pressure, Volume, Temperature, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Graphing | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: Gas Laws

  In this simulation, students will investigate three of the fundamental gas laws, including Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law and Gay-Lussac’s Law. Students will have the opportunity to visually examine the effect of changing the associated variables of pressure, volume, or temperature in each situation. Also, students will analyze the gas samples at the particle level as well as manipulate quantitative data in each scenario. Finally students will interpret trends in the data by examining the graph associated with each of the gas laws. This lesson accompanies the simulation from the November 2015 issue of Chemistry Solutions.

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  Atomic Theory, History, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project, Model of the Atom | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Scientist Infographic

  In this activity, students will design and publish an infographic focused on a well-known scientist and their contribution to the development of the atomic model.

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  Review, Density | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Round Robin

  In this activity, students solve problems on a series of sheets shared in a group.The activity can be extended beyond the topics of temperature and density. This lesson accompanies an article in Chemistry Solutions.

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  Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Radius, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Electron Configuration, Orbitals , Isotopes, Atomic Mass | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Ptable.com Investigations

  In this activity, students will use the online periodic table found at www.ptable.com to investigate a number of chemistry concepts. Students will use this online resource to explore information about the elements, including historical data, physical properties, periodic trends and more.

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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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  Periodic Table, Introduction, Elements, History | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Element Skit

  In this activity, students will become familiar with the periodic table by creating a skit to explain an element’s symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass.

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  Electricity, Atoms, Electrons, Electrons, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: Electrical Circuit Quiz Box

  In this activity, students will learn that the flow of electrons within a closed circuit make our lives easier. Students will construct a circuit quiz box that lights up when the correct question and answer are chosen.

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  Lab Safety, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Dangerous Goods Specialist

  In this activity, students will take on the role of a Dangerous Goods Specialist for a large chemical company. In this role, students will research a specific commercially available industrial chemical looking at both the properties of the compound as well as how can they safely ship the chemical to a buyer in a cost effective and timely manner.

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  Elements, Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Introduction, Atoms, Electrons | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Periodic Puzzler

  In this activity, students will learn about what makes up an atom and how important protons are in the placement of elements on the periodic table.

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  Observations | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Activity: Compare and Contrast

  In this activity, students will use their observation skills to compare and contrast two similar chemistry classroom scenes in order to identify the differences between the two.

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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.