Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
1 – 25 of 57 Classroom Resources
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Lab Safety, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School
Activity: Dangerous Goods Specialist Mark as Favorite (29 Favorites)
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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Observations, Interdisciplinary | Middle School
Lab: Jello Lenses Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this lab activity students will explore and compare how different lenses made from Jello can magnify text. Student lab groups will make Jello lenses using different sized measuring spoons, small bowls, and cookie dough scoops. They will then observe if the size of the lens changes magnification.
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Observations, Physical Properties, Interdisciplinary | Middle School
Lesson Plan: Fashionable Chemistry Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lesson, students will explore the characteristics of different types of natural and synthetic fabrics. Students will learn how synthetic fabrics are made and review the chemical formulas for various fabrics. Finally, students will demonstrate their knowledge by holding a chemistry fashion show.
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Radiation, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Heat, Temperature, Experimental Design, Graphing, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: The Ozone Layer Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)
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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Photosynthesis, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Investigating Photosynthesis Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
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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Electricity, Atoms, Electrons, Electrons, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary | Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: Electrical Circuit Quiz Box Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
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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Renewable Energy, Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Interdisciplinary, Graphing | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Solar Cookers Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the use of alternative cooking fuels that could replace burning wood, coal, or other smoke-producing materials to heat and cook food in developing nations, focusing on solar cookers. They will watch a video and read an article that provide a general overview of the need for alternative fuels. Then, in small groups, students will research, design, build, and test a solar cooker to determine if it is an effective method of cooking food in a developing nation. They will give a presentation to the class on their design, test results, and any improvements they would make to their initial design, and they will answer some reflection questions about the solar cookers made by their class and their role in the group project.
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Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Heat, Renewable Energy, Polymers, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Frontiers of Chemistry: Video Questions Mark as Favorite (18 Favorites)
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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History, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 7 Peter Agre Video Questions Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
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 seventh episode focuses on the childhood of Peter Agre, who won the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and is noted for his work in the study of malaria, as well as scientific diplomacy and policy.
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History, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 8 Helen Murray Free Video Questions Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
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 eighth episode focuses on the childhood of Helen Murray Free, a former ACS president and pioneering woman in chemistry who developed self-testing diagnostic strips for diabetes and other diseases.
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History, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 1 Ahmed Zewail Video Questions Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
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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History, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 2 Kristala L. Jones Prather Video Questions Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
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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Graphing, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Graphing Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use a simulation to learn good graphing techniques, as well as how to interpret data presented in a graph. They will take a quiz in the simulation, and then have an opportunity to put their graphing skills to work and generate their own graph using sample data.
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Molecular Structure , Molecular Structure, Molecular Formula, Naming Compounds, Chemical Bond, Interdisciplinary, Introduction | Middle School, High School
Activity: Modeling Carbohydrates Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this activity, students will identify that organic compounds contain carbon and other elements such as hydrogen and oxygen. They will investigate the structure of different organic and inorganic compounds and model several molecules, including a carbohydrate molecule. They will use their models to help understand how larger molecules are broken down into smaller molecules.
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Indicators, Interdisciplinary | Middle School, High School
Lab: Exhaling Acid Mark as Favorite (32 Favorites)
In this lab students will observe how increased carbon dioxide levels lead to a build-up of acidic conditions.
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Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Interdisciplinary, Physical Change, Reaction Rate | Middle School
Lab: Chemical Weathering in Geology Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will explore the differences between erosion, weathering and chemical weathering. They will complete a lab experiment that simulates chemical weathering on 4 different types of rocks. They will also learn how to use the Mohs Hardness Test to analyze the results.
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Temperature, History, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change, Temperature, Heat | Middle School, High School
Lab: Greenhouse Gas Simulation Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this lab, students will create two simulations of the Earth’s atmosphere. They will compare a control model with a one that has an increased presence of carbon dioxide gas in order to analyze how this effects temperature. They will also complete research in order to learn more about the makeup of the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Concentration, Mixtures, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method, Measurements | Middle School, High School
Lab: Effect of Salt Concentration on Plants Mark as Favorite (10 Favorites)
In this lab, students will observe how salt concentration can affect the structure of a potato tuber.
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Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Build a Spectroscope Mark as Favorite (26 Favorites)
In this lab, the students will make and use a spectroscope to identify the spectra within various types of light bulbs. The students will then develop an improved design for the spectroscope.
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Elements, Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary, History, Atoms, Model of the Atom | Middle School, High School
Project: Element Baby Book Mark as Favorite (41 Favorites)
In this activity, students will “adopt” an element and create a baby book about their “new baby” while they research and learn about the element.
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Introduction, Observations, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | Middle School, High School
Activity: Engineering Project Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
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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Separating Mixtures, Interdisciplinary, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Mixtures, Mixtures | Middle School
Lab: Candy and Leaf Chromatography Mark as Favorite (13 Favorites)
In this lab, students will learn that mixtures are created by the combination of two or more substances. Many colors are actually mixtures of several different pigments. Mixtures can be separated, and in this lab students will perform chromatography to separate mixtures found in candy and in leaves.
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Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Spectral Detective Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this lab, students will use a spectroscope to view the atomic spectra of various unknown elements. Using their collected data in combination with known atomic spectra, they will identify the chemical elements.
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Chemical Change, Physical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change | Middle School
Lab: Break It Down! Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will examine the physical and chemical changes that take place within a landfill by composting leftover fruits and vegetables from their lunches. They will also record pH and temperature measurements during the process.
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History, Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Observations, Mixtures | Middle School, High School
Lab: Top Secret Mark as Favorite (21 Favorites)
In this lab, students will learn about the history of invisible ink and will have the opportunity to compare two types of homemade invisible ink recipes.