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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Density of Water

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
We know solids have a density we can measure, but what about liquids? Lesson explores this concept and allows scholars to explore the relationship between volume and density. Graphing and analysis questions round out the activity. 
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Finding Volume: The Water Displacement Method

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
We have formulas for finding the volume of geometric shapes, but what if the shape is irregular? Lesson describes how to find volume through water displacement. After a demonstration, scholars practice in small groups. Then analysis...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

What is Density?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Density: the reason a giant pumpkin will float, but a tiny cranberry won't. Lesson begins with a demonstration of two of the same-sized cubes having different densities. Then pupils take eight cubes, each of the same size, and have to...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Changing State: Melting

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Dry ice is extremely cold — it is -109.3°F or -78.5°C. Scholars observe and explain the molecular motion associated with melting. Then they design their own experiments to speed up the melting process. Finally, a teacher presents a...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Changing State: Freezing

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
There are five types of frost: ground frost, air frost, hoar frost, glaze, and rime. Scholars mix ice and salt in a metal container to observe frost forming on the outside of the can. Animations and videos enhance the learning. 
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Changing State: Evaporation

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Why do experiments require a control? Guide scholars through designing an experiment to see what they can do to evaporate water faster with a lesson that stresses the importance of controlling all variables. The second activity allows...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Heat, Temperature, and Conduction

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How does heat move from one item to another, even when the items are in different states of matter? Pupils experiment with adding washers to hot water and adding hot washers to room temperature water to observe the heat transfer. 
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Biological Oceanographic Investigations – Call to Arms

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
How many simple machines does it take to make a robotic arm? An inquiry-based lesson explores that topic and challenges pupils to build a robotic arm that can stretch, turn, and more. A few questions help guide them in the right...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Importance of Deep-Sea Ecosystems – What Killed the Seeds?

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Most drugs used today come from nature, so the discovery of new ecosystems in the deep sea is exciting from a medical perspective. Scholars develop their own bioassay to test germination rates in seeds. 
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Lesson Plan
Oregon State

Using Paper Chromatography

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Through the analysis of paper chromatography to separate ink from the pen found at the crime scene, learners analyze the different stains and through calculations determine the thief. 
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Ebola Outbreak

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
As of April, 2016, more than 28,000 suspected cases of Ebola were recorded in Western Africa with over 11,000 human deaths. Classes discuss the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 and then groups develop an action plan based on research,...
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Interactive
PHET

Simplified MRI

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Cancerous tissues contain more water than normal tissue, which causes the cancerous tissue to resonate longer on the screen and be seen. High school learners can see how MRIs detect tumors in someone's head. Radio transmitters emit their...
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Interactive
1
1
PhET

Sugar and Salt Solutions

For Students 6th - Higher Ed Standards
Ionic bonds form from electrostatic energy, allowing for higher conductivity than those seen in covalent bonds. In the simulation, learners add sugar and salt to water and see the effects on concentration and conductivity of their...
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Interactive
1
1
PhET

States of Matter

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Water is the only molecule on Earth that can naturally exist in all three states of matter. The interactive simulation shows different molecules changing states of matter with the addition or removal of heat. Learners then see how...
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Interactive
1
1
PhET

Reactants, Products and Leftovers

For Students 6th - Higher Ed Standards
Did you know when you mix the reactants sulfur, tungsten, and silver, you get the products SWAg? The simulation begins with making sandwiches, to show pupils reactants and products of something familiar. They then can make water,...
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Interactive
1
1
PhET

Radioactive Dating Game

For Students 6th - Higher Ed Standards
Uranium 235 has a half-life of over 700 million years and is the fuel used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Pupils see the half-lives and decay rates of Carbon-14 and Uranium-238. They also take measurements of these two...
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Interactive
PhET

Molecule Shapes

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
The shape of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of atoms around the central atom and lone pairs of electrons. Scholars build models of molecules using single, double, and triple bonds. They can then see real molecules bond...
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Interactive
1
1
PhET

Isotopes and Atomic Mass

For Students 6th - Higher Ed Standards
Some isotopes are unstable, or radioactive, meaning they will decay over time and turn into another isotope or stable element. In the interactive simulation, participants manipulate elements to create isotopes and gather information....
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Energy Levels, Electrons, and Ionic Boding

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Learners see how electrons are transferred in the bonding of NaCl. They then create models of NaCl using styrofoam balls and toothpicks to assist them in explaining the formation of ions and ionic bonding. 
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

The Periodic Table and Energy-Level Models

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Teach your class to think of electrons as tiny packets of energy that travel in waves. Through a short video and diagram, participants see how electrons are located around the nucleus of an atom. They then get into groups and try to...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Temperature Changes in Dissolving

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Alia-Seltzer tablets cause a very obvious chemical change, but do they also cause a temperature change? Each class member explores hot/cold packs, discussing how these temperature changes occur. Groups then design and carry out their own...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Why Does Water Dissolve Salt?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Individuals explore solubility by modeling how water dissolves salts. They then view a video and compare how well water and alcohol dissolve salts, relating their comparisons to the structure of each molecule. 
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Lesson Plan
2
2
American Chemical Society

Surface Tension

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
A drop of dew holds a sphere shape even when sitting on a seat thanks to the surface tension of water. Learners observe the phenomena of surface tension in water. Through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions they explore...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Facing History and Ourselves

How Journalists Minimize Bias

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Class members are challenged to write a neutral news story about the events they observe in a short video. After sharing their stories in groups and discussing the different perceptions, the class concludes with a video of journalists...