Curated OER
States of Matter
Students discuss a given set of questions based on Chemistry and matter and review a glossary of terms. They conduct experiments on each state of matter: "Dry ice and water, Dry ice and soap and Dry ice and Isopropyl Alcohol." and...
Curated OER
Substitution and Elimination Reactions
In this chemistry worksheet, students complete the reactions by drawing structures of major products, indicating important minor products. They also write the structure of the product and describe the stereo chemistry of the product.
Curated OER
What Objects Sink and What Objects Float
Special needs students explore why certain objects sink or float. They will make predictions on what objects will sink or float. Students conduct an experiment using a large bowl of water and several objects and test their predictions....
Curated OER
Water You Can Use from the Air Conditioner
Young scholars work together to research water quantity, quality and safety standards. They complete a lab to discover how to use the water from an air conditioner. They write a paper to show their findings.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Learners play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology lesson, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection after the activity.
Curated OER
Polymer Chemistry: More than Just Plastic
Fifth graders examine polymers and how they are formed. In this chemistry lesson students complete their own polymer experiment then discuss what they learned.
Curated OER
Calibrating a Thermometer
Students calibrate an alcohol thermometer using the boiling and freezing point of water. In this physical science lesson plan, students explain what happens to boiling point of water as altitude increases. They calculate their...
Curated OER
Teaching about the Chemistry of Oxygen Solubility
Students explore solubility of gases in water, Henry's Law, LeChatelier's Principal, and supersaturation of gases in water.
Curated OER
Water Quality Monitoring
Students study the water quality of a stream in their area, by measuring the temperature, pH, alkalinity and conductivity. They integrate biology with earth science when using the microscope to study the living organisms in the water.
Curated OER
Disposable Diaper Comparison and Mystery Powder Identification
Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.
NOAA
Ocean Zones
How can organisms light up in water? Bioluminescence is light produced in a chemical reaction that can occur in an organism's body. First, learners determine what happens to light/color as you move into the deep ocean. In groups, they...
American Chemical Society
Using Dissolving to Identify an Unknown
There is a solvent called aqua regis that can dissolve gold! After observing a solubility demonstration, groups receive four known crystals and one unknown. Based on the demo, they design an experiment to determine the identity of the...
Beyond Benign
Packed Up Properties
Determine physical properties of potential packaging materials. Continuing from previous lessons in the series, the resource asks groups to identify physical properties of the substances. They test for conductivity, solubility, water...
University of Southern California
Mastering Microbes
Small but mighty! Learners explore the role of microbes in a healthy ecosystem. An engaging lesson plan asks pupils to design an aquaponics system that demonstrates that healthy microbes are necessary to maintain the ecosystem.
Beyond Benign
SLS Toxicology Test
Ingredients in your shampoo are toxic enough to kill plants. The 16th installment of the series of 24 tests the toxicity level of various concentrations of SLS, a chemical found in nearly all shampoo. Learners prepare percent solutions...
Beyond Benign
Daphnia Bioassay LD50
De-icing materials may have a harmful effect on our environment; have your class perform an experiment to test the nature of these effects. Scholars monitor the survival rate of a sample of daphnia as the concentration of a de-icing...
Cornell University
Spectral Analysis with DVDs and CDs
Build a spectrometer to analyze properties of light. Scholars examine the spectrum from CDs and DVDs from two different light sources. Using the spectrum, they work to identify different elements.
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
Curated OER
Ice Cream in a Bag
Here is a good version of this classic chemistry activity. Learners are given a simple recipe for how to make home-made ice cream by putting all of the ingredients into a ziploc bag. Before doing the activity, I would recommend having a...
Curated OER
Tie Dye
Students practice writing research proposals to test the color fastness of a dye once it has been exposed to a t-shirt. Each proposal needs details of experimental design, length of treatment, and means of cleaning the shirt. All...
Curated OER
Chem II - Exam III Warm-Up
In this chemistry worksheet, students take an exam that presents the concept of maintaining the ph balance. This can become a formal assessment.
Curated OER
Activity #19 Oxygen For Yeast
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...
Curated OER
Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Learners investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
Curated OER
Chemistry: The Collapsing Can
Learners observe methods by which air can crush aluminum cans. As water in the can boils and is sealed, the can collapses as it cools. When the procedure is reversed, the can expands to its original shape. After the alternate experiment,...