Curated OER
Real-World Projects: Challenges from the Polymer Industry
Two scenarios are presented for chemistry detectives to decipher. Both require the use of an infrared spectrometer and focus on the examination of polymer materials. In the first, lumps in polyethylene bottles are analyzed. In the...
Curated OER
Forensic Detectives: Chemistry at Work
Students examine the different careers associated with chemistry and see how it is used everyday. In this forensic lesson students research a chemistry related career and write a presentation to give to the class.
Curated OER
Juicing the Differences
Seventh graders investigate the vitamin C content of orange juice. In this chemistry lesson, 7th graders analyze the variables that cause result variation in their experiment. They design a new experiment to test variables in question.
Curated OER
Esters: The Secret of Natural and Synthetic Fragrances
Middle schoolers investigate esters, make an ester and detect esters in natural foods and plants. In this esters lesson plan, students detect smells of hidden objects, produce an ester using peas, brown sugar and apple and demonstrate...
Exploratorium
Your Sense of Taste
A simple and sweet activity shows students how important smell is in interpreting flavor. Pairs of pupils hold their noses and eat Life Savers®, only to find that they can't identify the flavors until they let go. You will appreciate...
Curated OER
Microarrays: Chipping Away at the Mysteries of Science and Medicine
High schoolers research microarrays on the internet in cooperative groups. Students write an essay describing the use of microarrays in environmental research and in medicine.