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Atomic Models

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain scientists' ideas about the structure of the atom over the last century. They develop a pictorial history of the changing ideas about the atom and write a caption describing the scientific thinking behind the model.
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Introduction to the Periodic Table of Elements

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how the elements are arranged in the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson, students determine the subatomic particles for certain elements. They research the physical and chemical properties of an element they chose.
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Atomic Structure and Ionic Bonding (A Visual Approach)

For Teachers 8th
Using toothpicks, marshmallows, and round colored sticky dots, physical science enthusiasts build models of an atomic nucleus. In this eighth grade chemistry lesson plan, they play an atom-naming game with the models that they have...
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Breaking it Down

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers will identify the factors that contribute to erosion and weathering. They will start by differentiating between chemical and mechanical weathering. They then apply what they learned by playing the online jeopardy game. Key...
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Build Your Own Atom

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars build a model of an atom using an online program. For this chemistry lesson, students discuss the different parts of the atom. They complete an independent research about their chosen element.
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Atoms: The Building Block of Matter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how scientific theories are developed. In this matter lesson, students explore the basic idea of quantum theory. They create a timeline of scientists, their contributions, and discoveries.
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Matter: Build a Word

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine matter and the periodic table of elements. In this matter lesson, 4th graders discuss atoms and their composition. Students explore the periodic table of elements and use it to spell words out of the elements.
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The Chemistry of Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study atoms and chemical compounds. They identify certain elements essential to human health, describe physical and chemical properties of water, and name four types of polymers unique to all life forms. They explain how...
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The Elements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch video, The Elements, research information about elements using both the Internet and CD-ROM program, and create atoms out of gumdrops and licorice.
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Alkali Metals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the unique properties of alkali metals. In this chemistry lesson, students create a mural of fireworks display after researching its different element components. They write a brief description about an alkali metal used...
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Hydrocarbons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Making models is always memorable. In this activity, physical science starters examine the structure of hydrocarbons using marshmallows, raisins, and toothpicks. They even act as atoms themselves and link arms to represent covalent...
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Molecular Modeling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the concept of molecular modeling and differentiate between saturated and unsaturated compounds. In small groups, they identify molecular formulas, complete a chart comparing alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, and construct...
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Science Hits Activity

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students listen to a song that teaches the elements of the periodic table and write their own song to be used as an aid in remembering scientific information.
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Introduction to the Periodic Table

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the different elements of the Periodic Table. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders pick an element to research, then present to the class using a powerpoint presentation or a poster.
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What Is Electricity?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners investigate vocabulary words associated with electricity.  For this electrical lesson, students utilize the Internet to research what electricity is and how it works.  Learners create an actual circuit in class using a...
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Help Wanted: A Lighting Engineer For Popular Rock Group

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They listen to a...
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Code Makers - Electron Configuration, Aufbau Principle

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students write the electron configuration of elements using the Aufbau principle. In this chemistry lesson, students build their own key that demonstrates the principle.
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Bouncing Balls

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students create a polymer ball in the lab. In this chemistry instructional activity, students identify the different properties of the polymer they created. They explain what type of chemical reaction took place.