Curated OER
Identification of Different Compounds and Substances
High schoolers conduct a series of tests to identify unknown compounds. In this chemistry activity, students compare the physical and chemical properties of substances. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
Curated OER
A Chemical Balancing Act
Young scholars decompose glucose and write an equation for the reaction. In this decomposition reaction lesson plan, students burn a sample of glucose and test the products for water using cobalt chloride paper. They write a balanced...
Curated OER
Acid/Base Indicators
Students use plant materials as indicators of acids and bases. In this acid/base indicators lesson plan, students use boiled beets, cabbage, flowers, teas or berries that have been boiled with alcohol to test various acids and bases....
Curated OER
More Acid-Base Indicators
Students explore acids, bases, and indicators. They use turmeric solution, phenolphthalein, and goldenrod paper to determine the acidity and basicity of a variety of common household substances. A worksheet is included to record test...
Curated OER
Mystery Powder Lab
For this mystery powder worksheet, students determine the identify of 6 unknown samples by testing them with cabbage juice for pH, vinegar, iodine for starch and heat. Students determine the identity of the mystery powders using their...
Curated OER
Plastic Identification Lab
In this plastics worksheet, students experiment with an unknown plastic and determine the polymer name and resin code by using a flow chart of various tests. They answer five questions after they collect their data.
Royal Society of Chemistry
A Reversible Reaction of Hydrated Copper (II) Sulfate
How can removing water change the color of a substance? Lab partners remove the water of crystallization from hydrated copper (II) sulfate, record their observations, then rehydrate the solid. The resource is printable and contains ideas...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Ionic Formulae 1
The ionic formula for banana would be BaNa2. Scholars work their way through four puzzles reviewing ionic formulas. Each puzzle requires scientific knowledge as well as logic and problem-solving skills.
College Board
Calculations Aren't Enough!
Unlike mathematics, statistics comes with a context. The author reminds teachers that data analysis involves using the context to make sense of the numbers. The article stresses good communication skills by highlighting the scoring...
Curated OER
Activity #17 Co2 From Alka Seltzer
Students observe what occurs when Alka Seltzer tablets are added to water. They explain why water stays in the jar when it is above the surface of the water. Pupils test for the presence of carbon dioxide by conduting the match test.
Curated OER
Is There Life Before 121?
Students observe microbial growth in the lab. In this biology lesson plan, students determine the conditions suitable for bacterial growth. They explain the methods of sterilization and bioburden testing.
Curated OER
Activity #18 Decompostion of Baking Soda
Middle schoolers observe what occurs as baking soda is heated. They explain why a chemical rather than a physical change occurred during the procedure. Pupils identify the tpe of reaction (decomposition). Students conduct a glowing...
Curated OER
Nuclear Fleas
Seventh graders distinguish characteristics of living things and identify the importance of careful observation. They identify five things that are not alive, but display characteristics of life and list five things that are alive, but...
Curated OER
Science Safety Rules
In this chemistry worksheet, students read the paragraphs on the sheet to locate the broken safety rules. Then they underline each one of these and count how many they found.
Curated OER
A Self Directed Inquiry into the Identification of Unknowns
Learners gain experience in designing an experiment and use logic in selecting specific tests for unknowns. Students recognize the use of spreadsheets in helping one to make clear comparisons.
Curated OER
Oh Nuts! - Calories Count
Students measure and record the mass of the nut to be tested to the nearest 0.01 gram.
Curated OER
Ice Ain't Easy
Students are told that objects in contact with one another reach an equilibrium temperature. A hot object placed in a cool liquid always cool off. It never happens that the object gets hotter and cool liquid gets colder. Students predict...
Curated OER
Evaporation of Alcohol and Water
Students investigate the process that occurs when liquids evaporaate. They test water and alcohol to determine which substance evaporates more quickly and relate the rate to energy changes.
Curated OER
Things That Glow
Third graders study the concept of light as an energy source. In this energy lesson students participate in a lab that show them the concept of light as an energy source.
Curated OER
Atomic Structure - Part A
Students 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
Patterns in Properties (of elements and compounds)
In this element properties worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 91 questions related to properties of elements and compounds.
American Chemical Society
Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel
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 results...
American Chemical Society
Surface Tension
A drop of dew holds a sphere shape even when sitting on a seat thanks to the surface tension of water. Learners observe the phenomena of surface tension in water. Through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions they explore...
American Chemical Society
Can Liquids Dissolve in Water?
How does food coloring work? Classes watch a demonstration showing liquids dissolving in liquids. In groups, they then explore the ability of other liquids to dissolve in water (alcohol, mineral oil, and corn syrup) by setting up and...