Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

1 – 25 of 34 Classroom Resources

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

  Animation: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction Animation

  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**

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

  Animation: Separating Mixtures Animation

  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**

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  SI Units, Mole Concept, Measurements, Physical Properties, Density | Middle School, High School

  Animation: Units of Chemistry Animation

  This animation explores the importance of including units to communicate the value of measurements effectively. It presents definitions, units of measurement, and measuring tools for physical properties that are commonly measured or calculated in chemistry class: mass, length, temperature, volume, amount (moles), and density. This animation was featured in the November 2022 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**

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  Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, Matter, Elements, History, Introduction, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School

  Animation: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter Animation

  This animation explores the idea that everything is made of atoms, and that since atoms are so extremely small, even small objects contain vast numbers of atoms. Students will see several examples to illustrate this point. Then they will be given a brief overview of the evolution of how people thought about atoms from the ancient Greeks through Dalton. This animation was featured in the May 2022 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**

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  Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Mixture, Chemical Structure, Chemical Change, Culminating Project | High School

  Project: Analyze a Family Recipe

  In this project, students will select a family recipe, or a favorite recipe to investigate. They will analyze several of the ingredients in order learn more about the chemistry of each one, as well as their purpose in the recipe. Additionally, students will examine several ingredient interactions to learn more about the chemistry of cooking.

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  Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Law of Conservation of Energy, Enthalpy, Calorimetry, Exothermic & Endothermic, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Measurements, Mole Concept, Dimensional Analysis, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, Review, Graphing, Observations, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties | High School

  Project: Handwarmer Design Challenge

  In this project, students will use their knowledge of thermodynamics to design a handwarmer for a manufacturing company that can maintain a temperature of 30-40°C for at least 5 minutes and is designed for the average human hand. Students will create a final product after rounds of testing and an advertising poster that summarizes the results of their testing and promotes their design.

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  Stoichiometry, Balancing Equations, Predicting Products, Chemical Change, Mole Concept, Dimensional Analysis, Measurements, Chemical Change, Culminating Project | High School

  Project: Chemical Reaction Soda Bottle Boat Race

  In this project, students will design and build a soda bottle boat with the goal of having the fastest boat to get to the other end of the rain gutter racetrack. Students will have to complete stoichiometric calculations to determine an appropriate amount of “fuel” (baking soda + vinegar) to power their boat.

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  Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Electron Configuration, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School

  Project: Atomic Holiday Ornaments

  In this project, students will design an atomic holiday ornament for a chosen element, along with a certificate of authenticity to display on a “Chemis-tree”. Students will also have the opportunity to vote on the ornaments created by their classmates.

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  Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Elements, Matter, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Polymers | Middle School, High School

  Project: The Chemistry of Toys

  In this project, students will study the chemistry behind a toy or novelty item of their choosing. They will look at the parts that make up their item and determine what materials each part is made of; the types of atoms, molecules, and bonds present in those materials; and their physical and chemical properties.

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  Introduction, Interdisciplinary, Experimental Design, Dimensional Analysis | High School

  Project: Food Chemistry Infographic

  In this project, students will research the chemical content and nutritional value of their favorite holiday foods, presenting their findings in an infographic. They will also include a recipe, which they will convert to metric units to practice dimensional analysis. As an extension to explore experimental design, they could alter one aspect of the recipe and observe how that change affects the final product.

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  Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Interdisciplinary | High School

  Project: Working for NASA

  In this project, students will take on the role of a NASA employee on a mission to discover what resources humans need in order to survive on another planet inside of our solar system as well as an exoplanet outside of our solar system. Students will research the materials and resources needed to sustain life on Earth and compare these to another planet and exoplanet to determine if they can possibly be habitable and sustain life.

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  Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary | 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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  Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School, Elementary School

  Animation: The Electromagnetic Spectrum Animation

  This animation explores 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. This animation was featured in the May 2020 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no spoken audio**

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  History | Middle School, High School

  Project: Famous Women Chemists: Snapchat Storyboard

  In this lesson, students will research female chemists and create a 6-panel ‘Snapchat’ storyboard to present the information learned.

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  Predicting Products, Activity Series, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | High School

  Project: Wastewater Recovery

  In this project, students will analyze test results in order to design a procedure for recovering certain metals from wastewater using their knowledge of the Activity Series of Metals and single replacement reactions. Based on their analysis, students will create a proposal for presentation in an effort to recommend the best plan for reclaiming the metals from the wastewater.

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  Matter, Elements, Mixtures | High School, Middle School

  Animation: Classifying Matter Animation

  This animation explores definitions and examples of several broad classifications of matter, including pure substances (elements and compounds) and mixtures (homogeneous and heterogeneous). Students will see real-life examples as well as particle diagrams. This animation was featured in the November 2019 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**

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  Renewable Energy, Culminating Project | High School

  Project: Sustainable Energy Evaluation

  In this project, students will develop a presentation to compare the pros and cons of a sustainable resource. The explanation will involve researching the cost and benefits of the resource and analyzing if the resource should continue to be used.

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  Molecular Structure, Intermolecular Forces, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Metallic Bonding, Polarity, Intramolecular Forces, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project | 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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  Review, Interdisciplinary, History | 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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  Lab Safety, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, History | Middle School, High School

  Project: Chemical Disasters: Good Chemicals gone Bad!

  In this project, students will research an industrial chemical accident. They will examine the chemicals involved including uses, hazards, chemical and physical properties. Students will investigate the cause of the accident and its repercussions. As the final product, they will film a 5-minute documentary which will be viewed in class.

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  Culminating Project, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, History, VSEPR Theory, Polymers, Covalent Bonding | High School

  Project: The Evolution of Materials Science in Everyday Products

  In this project, students will be able to understand the progression of development of an everyday product and display their knowledge through a creative video. They will investigate the history and chemical composition of the product through the present day. The students will then suggest an innovation about how the product can be altered in the future to improve society.

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  Periodic Table, Elements, History, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding | Middle School, High School

  Project: Exploring Elements

  In this project, students will select an element and then use Ptable.com to explore aspects of the element including its periodicity, electron configuration, history, and uses in industry.

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  Review, Culminating Project | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Project: Icosahedron!

  In this project, students will create an icosahedron, a twenty sided ball, to present information about a topic. The icosahedron can be used for any topic that would require the allocation and presentation of material.

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  Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, History | High School

  Project: The Scientists Behind the Atom

  In this project, students will create a digital (or paper) book about the scientists who contributed to our understanding of the atom.

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  Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project, Phase Changes, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School

  Project: Law of Conservation of Mass Comic Strip

  In this project, students will work in groups to create a comic strip that illustrates understanding of the law of conservation of mass.