Kitchen Chemistry Collection

This collection of AACT resources highlights all of the hands-on physical science and chemistry activities that are available in our library, and require only tools and/or materials that are typically found in the kitchen. They are grouped by grade band and further labeled by topic. All of the resources include a list of required materials and detailed background information for teachers, or other adults, who are supervising the activity. There are also student activity sheets, and many include an answer key.

The following kitchen tools are needed to do many of the activities. A table of conversion factors for length, volume, and mass measurements follows this list.

Length Measurements

• A ruler or yardstick that includes metric markings (mm and cm). If metric markings are not included, use the conversion factors below to convert the measurements.
• For irregular objects, such as filled balloons, use a string to measure the length and then a ruler to measure the string.

Volume Measurements

• For measuring liquid volumes between two tablespoons and two cups you can use a measuring cup and then convert the cup measurement to ml using the conversion factors below. For measurements that are less than two tablespoons, use a measuring spoon. For measurements that are larger than two cups you can use a large measuring cup that also has metric markings, estimating the volume by viewing it at eye level.
• For measuring solid volumes use measuring spoons.

Mass Measurements

• Most kitchen food scales include measurement in grams and ounces. This one is an example of a scale that measures up to 11 pounds and includes both gram and ounce measurements.
• If your kitchen scale does not include gram measurements, convert the ounce measurement to grams using the conversion factors below.

Temperature Measurements

• Use a thermometer or temperature probe for temperature measurements. You should use one that can measure temperatures between 0°F and 250°F.
• Use the conversion factors below to convert temperature measurements to Celsius.

Other Tools

• Balloons – 12” round
• Beaker Replacement – you can replace a beaker with a glass or clear plastic cup or container
• Bowl – a variety of sizes
• Bucket or large storage container
• Calculator
• Candles – pillar, birthday, votive, tea lights
• Coffee Filters
• Film Canisters
• Funnel
• Graduated Cylinder Replacement – use a measuring cup
• Lighter – stick variety
• Mason Jars
• Paper Clips
• Scissors
• Stopwatch – cell phone
• Tap