Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atoms and Elements: An Introduction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to discuss the difference between a proton, a neutron and an electron. They also can explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond. Students know the main structure of atoms and molecules. Student are able...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Air Matters

For Students 6th - 12th
What makes up the air we breathe? Young scientists explore the atoms and molecules in the air. An interactive lesson allows individuals to watch the movement of the particles in the air and change the makeup from a mixture to a...
Activity
Colorado State University

What Makes a Gas, a Greenhouse Gas?—The Carbon Dioxide Dance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Investigate a heated topic in environmental science. Scholars team up to play the parts of gas molecules in the atmosphere. As the teacher moves about, acting as the electromagnetic wave, learners react as their molecules would to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dilution and Concentration of Solutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Future chemists practice laboratory techniques by creating a monochloramine solution. The objectives are to use of dilution, 9concentration, and measurement skills and to prepare a solution that will be used in a water treatment...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Making of Macromolecules

For Students 7th - 12th
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mighty Molecules

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils examine a PowerPoint production on molecules. Then they construct their own molecule and define what an atom, molecule, and matter is. They make a H2, HCI, and an H2O molecule. Finally, a drawing to accompany the actual model is...
Activity
1
1
Teach Engineering

Engineering and the Periodic Table

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Elements, to the rescue! Scholars first review the periodic table, and then learn about the first 20 elements and their properties and uses in the fourth of six lessons in the Mixtures and Solutions unit. Applying their newfound...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Polymers: Instant Snow

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Is it easy to make snow? Scholars use critical thinking skills as they investigate the concept of polymers by making snow. The class tests several different variables and takes measurements over the course of several days. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #5 Environmental Effects

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explain the implications of particle theory of The Law of Conservation of Matter for problems of pollution and waste disposal. They describe, in terms of atoms and molecules, what happens to materials when they are dissolved or...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Let's Break the Particles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Build learning by breaking atoms! Young scientists study the way energy changes with a hands-on activity. As they roll steel marbles down a ramp, learners test the hypothesis that kinetic energy does not go away with friction...
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 Thermal Energy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Examine how heat can be transferred between systems by reconstructing a diagram on energy flow and solving problems on heat flow and work done.
Activity
Colorado State University

How Do Long and Short EM Waves Interact with the Earth's Atmosphere?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Things are about to heat up in your classroom! A kinesthetic lesson asks learners to play the part of the gases in the earth's atmosphere and interact with the sun's radiation. The focus is to learn the impact of the increasing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Structure Can Affect Properties Through Phase Changes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss how changing the structure of atoms and molecules can change the properties of a substance. They brainstorm and review their own examples of phase change with the help of a phase change diagram. Students describe the...
Lesson Plan
Science-Class.net

Rock Candy Crystals

For Teachers 5th
Candy is one of my favorite words, and it's an even better word when it relates to science. Yes, candy science can happen when you grow rock candy crystals with your class. The entire process for growing these edible wonders of nature is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differentiate Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the differences between elements, compounds and mixtures. Using diagrams, they compare and contrast atoms and molecules and describe various chemical reactions. They distinguish the differences between ionic and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter And Its Changes

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the phases of matter, make observations of matter, the physical and chemical properties of matter, solutions and mixtures, formation of molecules and atoms and molecules all through hands on activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gases and Plasmas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine what plasma is and why the sun is made up of plasma. They recognize situations where plasmas are found in nature and made by man. They discuss why the sun is a huge ball of plasma and if there are different levels of...
Lesson Plan
3
3
American Chemical Society

Identifying an Unknown Liquid

For Teachers 5th
Liquids are what's the matter with the lesson! Learners investigate properties of different liquids as they interact with various types of paper. They then use their observations to identify a mystery liquid to finish the sixth lesson in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density and Mass

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students experiment to find which liquids are more dense.  In this density and mass instructional activity, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. students observe which items sink and float....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Water and Groundwater

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater lesson, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Everything Made of?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners observe a demonstration on how we see space between water molecules.  In this experimental lesson students discover what elements make up the things around them and discuss what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World of Plastics and Polymers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners investigate plastics and learn they are giant molecules made of carbon atoms. For this polymers and plastics lesson, students perform 3 activities which all include making polymers from household items such as milk and vinegar,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat and Matter

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore liquids and solids by conducting in class experiments. In this matter lesson, students define the properties of matter and how heat can change those properties. Students experiment with heating objects such as butter and...