Activity
Royal Society of Chemistry

Mass Changes in Chemical Reactions—Microscale Chemistry

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
What better way is there to introduce conservation of mass than a few simple experiments? Young chemists conduct two chemical reactions, take the masses of reactants and products, then compare their results to determine...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Wizardry and Chemistry

For Teachers 11th - 12th
No need to go to Ollivanders to buy a magic wand. In the chemistry lab activity, young magicians mix chemicals to create combustible compounds. By applying these compounds to an iron wire, they create magic wands.
Activity
Curated OER

Nuclear Chemistry Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Radiation has numerous real-world applications, some of which are relatively safe while others can be extremely hazardous. In this nuclear chemistry project, young scientists choose a practical use of nuclear reactions to...
Activity
Royal Society of Chemistry

Some Reactions of Carbon Dioxide—Microscale Chemistry

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Precipitation reactions are always interesting. How about one that forms a precipitate using a gas? Chemists of any age will enjoy this twist on a standard solubility lab. Partners observe the lack of interaction between sodium...
Activity
It's About Time

Chemical Names and Formulas

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Abracadabra! Provide your class with the tools to perform a chemical "magic show" as they predict the charges of various ions, determine ionic compound formulas, and make observations to determine when a chemical reaction between...
Activity
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Investigation: Chemical Models

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Science teams make models of four different hydrocarbon compounds that we commonly use for fuel. Then they demonstrate chemical reactions that result when energy is produced. This can be used as an enrichment when your class is studying...
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Lab 2: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Surface area certainly surfaces as a variable for chemical reaction rates. Scholars perform an experiment to discover how the size of catalysts affect the rate of a chemical reaction. They record their results in tables and graphs to...
Activity
Royal Society of Chemistry

A Giant Silver Mirror Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Mirror, mirror, on the wall ... who's the best chemistry teacher of them all? You'll get the vote for certain after your class completes the Silver Mirror experiment! Partnered pupils use Tollen's reagent and glucose to silverplate a...
Activity
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Wet Etching in Nanofabrication

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Chemistry and physics combine forces to benefit nanofabrications. Learners examine the process of wet etching in nanofabrication. Using corrosive substances such as lemon juice and Coca-Cola, they model the etching process. They then...
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Lab 1: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What a big job for such a small particle. Young scientists learn about the role of nanoparticles in catalytic converters for cars. They conduct an experiment to create alginate-MnO2 catalytic spheres. 
Activity
Exploratorium

Indicating Electrolysis

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Sure, your learners know water is made up of two molecules, but watching them separate helps the class see the construction like never before. This resource provides directions on how to build a simple electrolysis device using a...
Activity
American Chemical Society

Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Bridging to Polymers: Thermoset Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Investigate thermoset polymers through experimentation. In an effort to determine the strongest, most flexible mixture, groups conduct an experiment on different-ratio epoxy-amine polymers to finish the set of two lessons.
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.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Can You Change the Rate of a Chemical Reaction?

For Students 9th - 10th
The ingredients in Alka-Seltzer tablets undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas as soon as the tablets hit water. Do you think you can cause the tablets to produce gas faster by breaking them into smaller pieces...
Activity
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Molecular Workbench Showcase: Chemistry, Reactions

For Students 9th - 10th
Simulations that can help students visualize and understand concepts in chemistry like the collision theory, chemical reaction equilibrium, and polymerization.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies:plop, Plop, Fizz Fast:the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Time

For Students 9th - 10th
By using Alka-Seltzer and different temperatures of water, you can determine the effect of the water temperature on the chemical reaction of the tablet. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: How Fast Does an Alka Seltzer Tablet Make Gas?

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a straightforward, fun project to measure the rate of the chemical reaction that occurs when Alka-Seltzer tablets are plopped into water. You'll track the volume of carbon dioxide gas produced at regular intervals after the...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Big Pieces or Small Pieces: Which React Faster?

For Students 9th - 10th
Use an Alka-Seltzer to find out how size of a particle affects the speed of a chemical reaction. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Bring on the Heat! Investigating Exothermic Reaction Rates

For Students 9th - 10th
Have you ever pulled a muscle or just been sore after a long day of work or exercise? Hot showers are great, but maybe you've used the more convenient heat packs. Heat packs, which you can buy at grocery or drug stores to soothe aching...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Chemical Reaction Rate in Ultraviolet Beads

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science fair project, experiment with the role temperature plays in the rate at which UV beads lose their color. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction,...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Wizardry and Chemistry

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students learn how common pop culture references (Harry Potter books) can relate to chemistry. While making and demonstrating their own low-intensity sparklers (muggle-versions of magic wands), students learn and come to appreciate the...
Activity
Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College: Chem Lab: Chemical Kinetics 1

For Students 9th - 10th
In this experiment, you will determine the rate law and confirm the mechanism of the reaction between cyclohexanone and iodine. Requires Java and QuickTime plug-ins to access some features.
Activity
Science Bob Pflugfelder

Science Bob: Create Bubbles & Heat With Simple Chemistry

For Students 4th - 8th
Use common supplies to try a simple experiment involving chemical reactions.