Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics


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  • Physical Properties, Observations | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Magnets and Metals

    In this activity, students will investigate magnets and see that they attract some metals but not others. Students will also get a chance to make a magnet “wand” to move a “skater” on a pretend frozen lake.

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

    Demonstration: Investigating Hand Sanitizer and Soap

    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.

  • Solubility, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Paper Flower Blossoms

    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.

  • Molecular Structure, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Formula, Review, Atoms | Elementary School, Middle School

    Activity: Atom Catcher Game

    In this activity, students will make several different molecules out of four types of atoms: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in an online game. In order to be successful, the student must move a beaker on the screen to catch the correct type and number of atoms needed to form a particular molecule. Students can score points by making as many correct molecules as possible in a given amount of time.

  • Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Discovering Entomology

    In this activity, students will first work in small groups on a card sort aimed to activate their prior knowledge about insects and attempt to match the name of several common insects with a corresponding scientific fact. Students will then watch a short video while answering several questions to discover more about the field of entomology.

  • Density, Observations, Inferences | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

    Activity: Animation Activity: Density

    In this activity, students will view an animation that explores density on the particulate level. There are opportunities to make qualitative and quantitative comparisons between substances.

  • Periodic Table, Review, Elements, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Mass | Elementary School, Middle School

    Activity: Periodic Table Challenge Game

    In this activity, students will play an online game that quizzes their knowledge about the atomic structure of the first 20 elements on the periodic table. Students will be asked to identify different elements based on information related to subatomic particles, placement on the periodic table or from a provided Bohr model. This game has several options for students to choose from, and can be used to review content, or as a formative assessment.

  • Physical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Comparing Physical and Chemical Changes

    In this lab, students will analyze different scenarios in order to determine if a physical or chemical change has occurred. This lab experience will provide students with the opportunity to record observations, as well as improve their ability to differentiate between physical and chemical changes.

  • Physical Properties, Observations, Matter | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Investigating the Physical Properties of Everyday Items

    In this lab, students will collect and analyze ordinary, everyday items in order to learn more about physical properties. Students will record data about each item, and then classify their items according to their properties.

  • Scientific Method, Observations, Experimental Design, Physical Properties | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Stains, Stains, Go Away

    In this lab, students will become more familiar with the scientific method as they investigate what type of cleaning product is best. Students will identify variables as they carry out a controlled test to compare the ability of different products to remove a ketchup stain.

  • Scientific Method, Observations, Experimental Design | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Introducing the Scientific Method

    In this lab, students will be introduced to and become familiar with the scientific method. They will apply their understanding by following the steps of the scientific method while investigating the amount of fat in potato chips.

  • Observations, Mixtures, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Chemical Change, pH | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Demonstration: The Chemistry of Cheese

    In this demonstration, students will observe the chemical process that occurs when making cheese. Students will be become more familiar with fundamental chemistry terms while making important observations.

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

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Element Matching Puzzle

    In this activity, students will become more familiar with select elements from the periodic table. They will use the periodic table to determine the symbol for given elements, and recall any prior knowledge about each element. Then students will be challenged to solve a puzzle by organizing a set of cards that contain jumbled information about these elements. After all of the cards have been correctly organized, a secret message can be found.

  • Molecular Motion, Temperature, Observations, Inferences | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Demonstration: How Does Temperature Affect Water Molecules?

    In this demonstration, students will observe models to better understand that temperature affects molecular movements.

  • Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Animation Activity: Electromagnetic Spectrum

    In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on the visible spectrum. The animation 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.

  • Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School, Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. 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**

  • Photosynthesis, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. 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.

  • Graphing, Scientific Method, Experimental Design | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Graphing Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

    In this activity, students will have the opportunity to review the scientific method, and analyze data from a scenario about glow-in-the-dark paint. Additionally, students with create a graph to help them to interpret data.

  • Periodic Table, Elements | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: Identify Your Elements

    In this lesson, students observe the teacher using a set of Russian Nesting Dolls to create analogies between structure and shape of the periodic table. Students are taught to navigate the periodic table, identify specific elements by atomic number, analyze several element samples, and determine the identity of a mystery material.

  • Density, Observations, Physical Properties | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Under the Sea: A Density Aquarium!

    In this lab, students will create a density aquarium. They will develop a written response comparing and contrasting the densities of the various objects within the aquarium. This lab is designed for students to work in groups after they have an understanding of density and other physical properties.

  • Lab Safety | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

    Video: Video 1: Safety Mindset

    The chemistry lab is an amazing place! Through experiments and demonstrations your high school students have been discovering that chemistry is more than just a collection of facts and formulas-- it’s a way of observing and understanding the very real properties of matter all around them. However, the lab can also be a dangerous place. Contrary to what your students might have seen in films and TV, safety is a core value of chemistry—it is essential to everything they do in the lab. It begins with their mindset, the attitudes and beliefs they bring to class with them every day. Use this video to introduce your students to elements of safe importance of safety mindset in the chemistry lab.

  • Physical Change, Chemical Change, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: A Physical vs. Chemical Challenge

    In this activity, students will first complete a card sort to best categorize examples of change as physical or chemical change. Then they will compete in teams to identify whether given situations represent a physical change or a chemical change, or a physical or a chemical property.

  • Lab Safety | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Super Safety Scientists

    In this activity, students will brainstorm ideas for keeping people safe during lab activities and design personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for a given situation.

  • Photosynthesis, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. 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.

  • Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Solving Problems like a Scientist

    In this activity, students will analyze several scenarios in order to better understand and apply their knowledge of physical and chemical properties.

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