American Chemical Society
Conservation of Mass
It may take up less space, but the mass stays the same. Tackle a common misconception about conservation of mass using a hands-on lesson. Learners measure the mass of substances before and after melting, dissolving, and undergoing a...
California Academy of Science
Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Ice is nice, and its condition on the planet has a significant effect. Junior geoscientists experiment with ice melting in both water and on land to discover how each affect the rising sea level. This detailed instructional activity...
Polar Trec
Sea Ice Impact
The arctic seas contain currents that are both warm (with high salinity) and cold (relatively fresh water) that circulate throughout the year. Through discussion, a lab, and a web quest, participants explore the impacts of melting and...
Chymist
Determination of the Volume of CO2 in Pop Rocks
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.
Curated OER
Reversible/Irreversible changes
Students observe an online activity where they see some solids dissolving and some not dissolving. In this dissolving lesson plan, students learn which solids will dissolve, melt, and which won't. They will also see which effects are...
Curated OER
Writing Chemical Formulas
Students study how to write chemical fomulas by reviewing the combinations atoms form into compounds. They write a procedure to test various substances and name the compounds and write formulas. As they construct models for formulas and...
Curated OER
Amazing Salt
Students examine the effects of salt on ice. In this salt lesson, students observe what happens to the temperature of ice when salt is added, then make ice cream to see how this knowledge can be used.
Curated OER
Food and Fiber: Helping the Environment and You
Fourth graders explore the many uses of corn-based products and the importance of water resources. They consider how biodegradable products help to keep water clean. They perform experiments to observe how corn pellets dissolve while...
Polar Trec
Nature's Density Column
Nature provides density columns in the polar regions that provides food for many animals. Young scientists build their own density columns with water in order to answer analysis questions. Through a slideshow presentation, scholars...
Aquarium of the Pacific
States of Matter: Making Ice Cream
Who knew that learning about the states of matter could taste so sweet? This fun hands-on lesson plan captures the attention of learners as they use what they know about solids, liquids, and gases to create their very own batch of ice...
NOAA
Ocean Layers II
Now that you know the ocean has layers, let's name them. The seventh installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program covers terminology associated with ocean layers, such as thermocline and...
Curated OER
Seashore Explorers
There are three separate lessons within this resource that can be used together, or that can each stand alone. In the first, five simple activities allow junior scientists to examine the amazing properties of water. In the second, they...
Curated OER
Ziplock Chemistry
Students investigate various chemical reactions when creating mixtures in ziplock baggies. In this chemistry lesson, students will recognize various chemical reactions and cite evidence. Safety and assessment strategies are included in...
Curated OER
Physical vs. Chemical Changes
In this chemical and physical change worksheet, students are given details about chemical and physical changes. They are given 2 examples using water and salt and they identify 15 statements as chemical or physical changes. Students...
Curated OER
Salt Water vs. Fresh Water
Students explore why the oceans do not freeze. They explain why they think the Atlantic Ocean does not freeze. Students are given background information about what they are doing. They create a hypothesis about what they believe...
Curated OER
Halogens
Students identify the elements that belong to the halogen family on the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson, students describe the common characteristics of elements in this group. They research about hydrochloric acid's effect on...
Curated OER
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
Students study flavinoids and how they exist in the plant kingdom. In this pigment lesson students complete a lab activity to see how flavinoids move in substances then record their observations.
Curated OER
Making Ice Cream
First graders create ice cream in class. In this matter lesson, 1st graders discover solids, liquids and gases and the properties of each. Students produce a batch of ice cream in class using household items.
Curated OER
Ice Cream Blizzards
Fourth graders explore whether the making of homemade ice cream is a physical change or a chemical change in a lab experiment. Students identify states of matter, describe the physical properties of states, and collect temperature data...
Curated OER
Condensation and the Water Cycle
Students explore the natural distallation process that occurs in the water cycle. They use plastic cups and cotton swabs to observe the condensation process that is evident in the water cycle.
Curated OER
Making Soap
Students recognize and use chemical indicators in the lab, recognize the need for safety while doing chemical experiments and understand the need for following precise directions.
Curated OER
Chemistry: Changing Materials
Students examine physical change with different temperature and solvents. In this elements and compounds lesson, students conduct experiments to discover what happens to the mass of a substance when is undergoes a physical change.
Curated OER
Flower Pigments
Students experiment with Thin Layer Chromatography to separate pigments found in flower petals.
Curated OER
Let's Think About Water
Students explore the different forms that water can take and conduct simple experiments to demonstrate some of its properties in each state. They watch a short video that illustrates some of these concepts.