Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rate Determining Step and Catalyst Activity

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students work in groups to stuff as many envelopes as they can in 3-5 minutes. They use an assembly line method. Envelope stuffing is compared to a chemical reactions. The idea of catalyst is considered, and students determine a way to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Addition Polymerization: Preparation of Polystyrene Using Two Types of Initiators

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Advanced chemistry classes compare the polymerization of styrene using two different initators: benzoyl peroxide and aluminum chloride. Once they synthesize polystyrene, they compare the two producet for melting point and density. There...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Discovering Enzymes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Explore the function of enzymes through a series of lab investigations. Learners use household enzymes such as hydrogen peroxide to model the role of enzymes. The enzymes break down proteins with and without a catalyst.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #19 Oxygen For Yeast

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students observe and record what occurs when yeast is added to hydrogen peroxide. They indicate why a chemical reaction (decompostion) must have occurred during the experiement. Pupils explain why yeast was used. Students comprehend the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #6 How Fast Do Reactions Go?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students name the factors (concentration, temperature, and a catalyst) which can affect the rate of a chemical reaction. They use their knowledge of particle theory to explain their observations. Pupils comprehend that the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identification of Different Compounds and Substances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of tests to identify unknown compounds. In this chemistry lesson plan, students compare the physical and chemical properties of substances. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemiluminescence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore chemiluminescence through various experiments. For this chemistry lesson, students explain the chemical reaction that drives the process. They give real life applications of chemiluminescence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BioFuels: The Chemistry and Economics of Alternative Fuels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Junior chemists manufacture biodiesel in the lab. For this exercise, they check the purity of the biodiesel using thin layer chromatography. They also calculate its density and heat of combustion. They are sure to rise to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catalase and Catalysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore enzyme catalysis through a series of experiments. In this chemistry activity, students determine the factors affecting catalysis. They explain the different uses of this process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lab: Percent of Composition of KClO3

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students find the percent of oxygen in potassium chlorate. In this percent composition lesson plan, students heat a solution of potassium chlorate using a catalyst, manganese dioxide, to decompose the potassium chlorate and release...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymerization Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the process of polymerization. For this chemistry lesson, students produce carboxylesterase in the lab. They test its effectiveness in removing the by-product odor.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bhopal - Rate of Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine that the rate of reaction is affected by temperature, surface area, concentration of reagent, and addition of a catalyst or inhibitor. They observe that on December 3rd, 1984, 8000 people died when the chemical plant...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Build a Fuel Cell

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Discover the connection between redox reactions and fuel cells. Collaborative groups build a Hoffmann Apparatus that demonstrates the electrolysis of water and then convert their models into a fuel cell. They use their fuel cells to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magic Genie

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students observe the chemical change that occurs when sodium iodide is dropped into a flask containing 30% hydrogen peroxide. They discuss how this exothermic reaction occurred as they study the chemical equation involved in the reaction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How much Carbon Dioxide is in My Seltzer Water?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the law of conservation of mass though experimentation.  In this chemistry lesson, students experiment with acid - base indicators to determine the presence of carbon dioxide. Students complete the labs with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reaction Rates and Catalysis in Ethanol Production

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate alternative catalysts for the degradation of hydrogen peroxide.  In this fermentation lesson plan students complete an activity that breaks down cellulose into sugar. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hot Gas Or Cold Gas Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lab project to study chemical reactions. They use guided questions to help facilitate the lab experience and come to the correct outcomes. The lesson does not contain a true understandable objective. The lesson could...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Ester

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the basic concepts of polymerization. Students participate in a lab to create a crude preparation of carboxyl esterase and test its effectiveness in reducing the residual monomer in an emulsion such as paint.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature and the Tomato

For Teachers 9th - 12th
You will need a photovoltaic system and monitor at your school in order to obtain all of the data required to thoroughly implement this lesson plan. Your class monitors daily temperature and insolation amounts over a two week span of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Esters: The Secret of Natural and Synthetic Fragrances

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate esters, make an ester and detect esters in natural foods and plants. In this esters lesson plan, students detect smells of hidden objects, produce an ester using peas, brown sugar and apple and demonstrate how to...
Activity
Curated OER

The Bio-fuel Project: Creating Bio-diesel

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate bio-fuel. In this investigative lesson, students create bio-fuel from vegetable oil waste. Students will analyze, predict, collect and synthesize data from their experiments with bio-fuel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speed me up, Scotty!

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students describe and define chemical reactions. They design a laboratory experiment, collect data and analyze data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nanaotechnology: Small Science, BIG DEAL!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils read an article that introduces them to the science and applications of nanotechnology. They discuss the the everyday examples of how nanotechnology is and can be used. In small groups, they observe and make inferences about...