Curated OER
Evidence Revealing the Composition of the Atom
Investigators use indirect evidence to guess what is occupying a sealed box. You could also use a set of plastic Easter eggs to encase the unknown items. Another terrific activity involves having learners drop a pencil on a sheet of...
LABScI
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of Elements: The Secret Agent Lab
Food always gets attention! Model atomic structure using fruit loops to represent the subatomic particles. After building models, scholars create ionic bonds using their models. Finally, they use these concepts to create a periodic...
Virginia Department of Education
A Crystal Lab
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.
Santa Monica College
Lewis Structures and Molecular Shapes
Learners practice drawing Lewis dot structures, build molecules with model kits, and predict molecular shapes using VSEPR theory. The combination of written work and hands-on reinforcement benefits young scientists.
Virginia Department of Education
Atomic Structure: Elements
It's all relevant, really. Individuals use the scientific method to learn more about elements, atoms, and their placement on the periodic table. They conduct experiments using materials common in nature to explore how elements affect our...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure - Part A
Young scholars describe the structure of atoms, including the particles that make them up. They recognize that key scientists and experiments have contributed to the changes
in the Atomic Theory.
Curated OER
Crystal Structure Lab
Students study and examine crystal shape. They create the two basic unit cells (one a tetrahedron) out of pipe cleaners and dip them into soapy water to see if they can form bubbles to represent a silicon atom in the center of a...
Curated OER
Models of Chemical Families
A simple activity for introductory chemistry classes is thoroughly explained in this lesson plan. Each individual receives a sealed box containing an unknown object. Inquisitors use indirect evidence to draw conclusions. This activity is...
Curated OER
The Atom
Young scholars study the structure of an atom and its different spectra.In this atomic instructional activity students complete a class activity on the history of atoms and a spectroscope lab.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Pre-Lab
Students describe the science of physics. In this Physics lesson plan, students observe examples of physics within their classroom. Students create a definition for physics.
Curated OER
Matter, Matter
Learners define vocabulary related to the parts of the atom. In this matter instructional activity, students navigate the web to find the structure and the forces that affect atoms. Learners complete an experiment with...
Virginia Department of Education
Molecular Model Building
During this hands-on activity, young chemists build molecular models based on the Lewis dot structure before studying valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
Curated OER
How Can You Study Things You Can’t See Like: Atoms?
Students simulate how scientists studied things they can't see like atoms. In this chemistry lesson, students predict what is inside the numbered obsertainers. They design a way to investigate what's inside without opening it.
SRI International
Science of Water
Water is crucial to survival. Scholars gain an appreciation for water by reading about it, learning about its atomic properties, and investigating its properties through six stations in a lab activity.
Cornell University
The Science of Snowflakes
Who can grow the best crystals? Challenge class members to develop strategies for enhancing growth in the crystals. Through a lab investigation, learners study the properties of crystals and test the effectiveness of different...
Curated OER
Grow an Alum Crystal
What an exciting lab experiment to conduct with your high school chemistry class! Crystals are formed naturally in the environment. However, allow your blossoming chemists to create their own unique crystals using alum and...
Curated OER
Molecular Models Laboratory
Students use models to visualize molecular structures. Students read about Lewis dot structures, hybridization, and formal charge. Then students build and draw the molecules and ions given. Students complete 11 pre-lab questions and 4...
Curated OER
Basic Chemistry Review
Students experiment to show their knowledge of molecules and atomic structures. In this chemistry review lesson students participate in an activity and then fill out a worksheet.
Curated OER
Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste
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...
Chymist
Esters: An Introduction to Organic Chemistry Reactions
Scratch and sniff an introduction to organic chemical reactions. A creative lesson has individuals study the esters commonly used in scratch-and-sniff stickers and advertisements. Following the lab procedure, scholars create the organic...
Jefferson Lab
The Shape of Things
Here is an interesting science lesson/activity which has learners working in groups in order to simulate experiments done at the Jefferson Science Lab. In this one, groups use a pie tin, a Hula Hoops, a marble, and a magic marker to...
NASA
Supernova Chemistry
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
Curated OER
The Physical Setting
Learners study atoms and their protons and neutrons. For this physical setting lesson students work together to complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Polymers Lab: Bouncy Ball and Slime
Eighth graders investigate chemical reactions to produce polymers. In this polymers lesson plan, 8th graders experiment with sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol to make a polymer. They also experiment with borax and glue to make a polymer....