Add a splash of color to your chemistry class! Science scholars discover the principles behind color through a wide variety of hands-on activities. Lessons include dyes, chromatography, and flame tests.

Classes continue their study of organic compounds in a detailed lesson covering alcohols, phenols, and ethers. Naming these compounds, classifying them, and describing their preparation and use are some of the topics covered. Through...

Ozone, made of three bonded oxygen atoms, is found 15-30 km above Earth, has a strong smell, is blue, and blocks sunlight from hitting the surface of Earth. The 22nd lesson in a series of 36 specifically focuses on the important elements...

Where does the pop in pop rocks come from? An engaging activity asks scholars to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in a package of Pop Rocks candy. Learners dissolve the candy in water and use the solubility of CO2 to determine its mass.

Turn your class discussion of rock formation from ho-hum to holy hornfels! Junior geologists gain experience in identifying rock types and rock origins, with an emphasis in hypothesizing the environment needed to form certain...

Rings and golden nuggets contain the element gold, but how small can you break it down before it is no longer considered gold? A helpful presentation explains the basics about atoms, elements, and isotopes through a presentation.

High school learners identify chemical and structural properties of DNA and explain the differences between genotype and phenotype. They develop a scientific investigation to determine the ethnic heritage of a large group of people. 

From gas to liquid condensation to solid frost, water undergoes phase changes before students' eyes! Using ice, salt, water, and a metal can, they set up an investigation that can be used in a physical science setting, or as part of a...

This is one in several lessons that explore the relationship between temperature and phase changes of water. After some discussion, elementary physical scientists place wet paper toweling on a hot and a room-temperature water bag...

Make sure to consult the teacher's handbook, Inquiry in Action - Investigating Matter Through Inquiry, for two demonstrations that can be done to introduce solubility and measuring crystal mass before having the class conduct this...

Investigators construct a makeshift balance and compare equal volumes of wax and water. They do the same for clay and water. Then they discover whether the wax and clay will float or sink in water. Ultimately this is a comparison of...

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...

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...

Fifth graders familiarize themselves with more abstract chemical/physical changes that are directly connected to Ohio. They use their knowledge of chemical and physical changes to distinguish these two, even though they may not be...

Students consider the role of industry on the American landscape from a variety of perspectives. They investigate a simulated case study. They investigate a chemical spill catastrophe. Students write an informative pamphlet to assist...

Middle schoolers experiment with common household products to determine the properties of emulsions and how they fit into the classifications of matter through this series of lessons.

Students investigate the similarities and differences in soils from different states with an analysis of its physical and chemical properties.

Students study reaction rates, what determines how fast a reaction happens and how the chemical changes occur.  In this reactions activity students complete a lab where they use Alka-Seltzer to observe reaction rate and create a...

Eighth graders define the pH scale, acids and bases. They distinguish between acidic and basic solutions using litmus paper. Students review simple chemical formulas. They define the subscript and coefficient in terms of chemical...

Students research the properties and health risks of organic chemical solvents. They create a Safety with Solvents newsletter to share with others in their school and community.

Third graders investigate Newton's law of Motion.  In this chemical reaction lesson, 3rd graders participate in an experiment with rockets to study Newton's law. Students observe the effects of a chemical reaction made by combining...

Identify the properties of fats and lipids. Compare the properties of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids Identify foods containing triglycerides and identify which foods contain saturated and unsaturated fat Discuss the function of...

Fifth graders identify the chemical and physical changes in the water cycle, carbon cycle, and the effects of weathering. They analyze the periodic table, and observe how vinegar reacts with limestone in a chemical reaction that causes...