+
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

A Crystal Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young chemists grow ionic crystals, metallic crystals, and supersaturated crystals in three different lab experiments. Observing these under a microscope allows pupils to compare the various structures. 
+
Activity
K-State Research and Extensions

Crystal Shapes

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Of quartz I love geology! The chapter offers five activities at three different levels. It features hands-on activities that cover crystal shapes, cleavage and fracture, hardness scale, specific gravity, and mineral identification....
+
Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Sugar Crystal Challenge

For Teachers 3rd - 9th Standards
Blow your learners' minds with a sweet lesson on nanotechnology that uses sugar to demonstrate the difference nanoscale surface area makes in dissolving and crystal formation. Plenty of supportive background information is read to...
+
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Grow Rock Candy

For Students 6th - 12th
The best way to study crystals is to make your own! A hands-on lesson shows learners how to make their own rock candy from household materials. While they watch the crystals grow, they discover their structure and can even eat their...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Big vs. Little - Macro to Micro Lesson 5

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
It is a long way from nano to macro. Learners examined the scale of measurement from macro to nano in the first four lessons of the five-part series. With the final installment, they review what they learned by classifying objects in one...
+
Activity
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Wet Etching in Nanofabrication

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Chemistry and physics combine forces to benefit nanofabrications. Learners examine the process of wet etching in nanofabrication. Using corrosive substances such as lemon juice and Coca-Cola, they model the etching process. They then...
+
Handout
National Institute of Open Schooling

Solid State

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Crystal comes from a Greek word meaning ice. Activity eight in a series of 36 has class members analyzing amorphous and crystalline solids and further classifying them based on their forces. They then explore solids, learning about unit...
+
PPT
Normal Community High School

Crystalline Structure

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Cubic crystals can have 6, 8, and even 12 sides. Here is a presentation that shows pupils three different kinds of cubic crystalline structures: cubic, body-centered, and face-centered. These structures are then applied to three...
+
Unit Plan
1
1
Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Rocks and Minerals in Our Lives

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
Young geologists discover the important role that rocks and minerals play in our everyday lives through this series of hands-on activities. Starting off with a lesson that defines the difference between plants, animals, and minerals,...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation of Crystallinity in Polymeric Materials

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
A kaleidoscope is constructed using polarizing polymer paper and then low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene are all melted onto individual glass slides and examined through a microscope. The intent is to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystal Ice Art

For Teachers K - 5th
This isn't just an art lesson, it's a science lesson too. Kids draw a lovely winter scene and then paint over it with a solution of epsom salts and water. They make predictions, then observe how crystals form as the water evaporates...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Take young geologists on an exploration of the collection of rocks and minerals that we call Earth with an upper-elementary science lesson. Through a series of class discussion and hands-on investigations, students learn about the three...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry Module

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students build metal atomic models using styrofoam. In this chemistry lesson, students identify the different unique properties of metals. They explain how metal atoms bond.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover how crystal structures go together to create minerals.  In this earth science lesson, students work in groups to create 3-dimensional shapes of crystals that they then put together in a compact structure.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Polyhedrons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the characteristics of polyhedra. Through hands-on activities and interactive videos, students investigate and retrieve information on polyhedra and crystal structures. Students study angles and symmetry. They...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Show Me the Halite!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Introduce middle school mineralologists to halite. The opening of the lesson plan involves a video and worksheet to which there are no links. However, you can replace the video with any informational clip that you can find online about...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

For Creative Minds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study pictures of plants, animals, and minerals. Students classify the pictures into the three groups. In this rock identification lesson, students complete a rock finding lab experiment by finding, cleaning, identifying, and...
+
Website
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Geo Physics: Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a resource for students to use in their study of minerals. It begins with a general description that includes the list of essential characteristics of a "mineral." Minerals are then grouped alphabetically. Selecting a name...
+
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Iii: The Silicates

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on the Silicate minerals. Discussion includes the most common minerals on Earth such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...
+
Unit Plan
1
1
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Ii: Properties

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on the physical properties of minerals. Discussion includes the identifying characteristics such as color, hardness, luster, crystal forms, density, and cleavage. Site also includes an interactive practice...
+
Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania: Solid State Chemistry: Describing Crystalline Solids

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains in-depth information on crystalline solids. Includes basic concepts, pictures, learning graphs, and useful tools.
+
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Science: Rocks and Minerals: Defining Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on minerals. Discussion includes chemical composition, chemical structure, and the formation process. The site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the topic.
+
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Introducing Ionic Bonds: How Does the String Hold Together?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This inquiry activity introduces chemical and ionic bonds and allows students to investigate an unknown situation, make hypotheses, and share data.
+
Website
Environmental Chemistry

Periodic Table of Elements: Gallium

For Students 9th - 10th
A very detailed look at the element Gallium, a member of the Boron Group.