Earth Day Network
Staying Green While Being Clean
Clean up the environment with a lesson plan that focuses on replacing hazardous cleaning supplies with green, environmentally-friendly products. Using a dirty patch of surface as a control area, kids clean other parts of various surfaces...
Curated OER
Addition Polymerization: Preparation of Polystyrene Using Two Types of Initiators
Advanced chemistry classes compare the polymerization of styrene using two different initators: benzoyl peroxide and aluminum chloride. Once they synthesize polystyrene, they compare the two producet for melting point and density. There...
Virginia Department of Education
States of Matter
Scientists have been studying exothermic reactions before they were cool. The lesson begins with a discussion and a demonstration of heat curves. Scholars then determine the heat of fusion of ice and the heat needed to boil water through...
Virginia Department of Education
Acid-Base Theory
Litmus paper, why so blue? A chemistry lesson includes a pre-lab activity, practice calculating pH, an experiment measuring the pH in acids and bases, a titration demonstration, and a titration experiment.
Curated OER
The Right Chemistry
Students see that chemistry is the study of matter, how matter reacts and combines to create new chemicals, the changes that take place in matter and what makes up matter. This lesson plan provides many good ideas across the curriculum...
Curated OER
Exposure!
Students investigate that chemicals may affect different people in different ways. They also realize that their perceptions of dangerous materials may not be realistic and that the news media may not provide all the information needed to...
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...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Quantum Dots
Does the size of a sample change the physical properties of that substance? It turns out it can! Young scientists combine physics and chemistry to synthesize CdSe quantum dots and record their color properties. Learners should notice a...
Beyond Benign
12 Principle Match Up
Can you find a match? Scholars review the 12 principles of green chemistry by playing a matching game. The second lesson of the series reinforces the principles from the first lesson. Individuals play the matching game and also complete...
Curated OER
Chemiluminescence
Students explore chemiluminescence through various experiments. In this chemistry instructional activity, students explain the chemical reaction that drives the process. They give real life applications of chemiluminescence.
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Two Types of Polyesters
College-level or AP chemists use phthalic anhydride to synthesize two different polyesters, one linear and one cross-linked in structure. A detailed materials list and well-written procedures are provided on a lab sheet. Learners write...
Virginia Department of Education
Scientific Inquiry: Measurement/Data
While pupils design their own lab experiments, they will not form a new species. Scholars take their materials and design an experiment regarding reaction rates.
Curated OER
Aluminum Adventure
Chemistry aces use an electrochemical cell to anodize a strip of aluminum. They apply an organic dye to it. In a practical application, they design a piece of jewelry out of the anodized metal and describe the process. Thorough notes...
Curated OER
Topic: Math, Chemistry, and Food
Students listen as the teacher tells the story of Sisyphus rolling the stone up the mountain. Students prepare two batches of jello, one with fresh pineapple, and one with canned pineapple. While the jello is setting, students work on...
Curated OER
# 18 Determination of the Set Time for Epoxy Adhesive
Students recognize epoxy glue formation as two part polymerization (usually the curing agents act as co-monomers). They monitor the reaction by the changes in viscosity of the reacting mass, the temperature rise and fall, and the...
Curated OER
Introduction to Toxicology
Students explore the science of toxicology and the relationship between a toxic reaction (response) and amount of substance (dose). They observe two demonstrations illustrating the concept of dose-response.
Curated OER
Water Resource Engineering
Learners examine solubility and the significance of water. In this aqueous solution instructional activity students complete a lab activity on soil profiles.
Virginia Department of Education
Thermochemistry: Heat and Chemical Changes
What makes particles attract? Here, learners engage in multiple activities that fully describe colligative properties and allow the ability to critically assess the importance of these properties in daily life. Young chemists conduct...
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Killer Coal
Students research chemical components of coal, as well as environmental health impacts of mining and burning coal. They discuss conservation of mass as it relates to combustion of organic compounds.
Curated OER
This Life Stinks
Chemosynthetic communities of cold seep areas are considered in this lesson. Working in collaborative groups, marine biology or oceanography learners research and prepare a report about oxidation-reduction reactions involved with...
American Chemical Society
Development of Baking Powder
Did you know baking powder can be used to treat acne, whiten teeth, and make sugar cookies? The lesson plan on the development of baking powder is ready-to-go with no preparation required. Through readings, pupils answer questions,...
Curated OER
Code Makers - Electron Configuration, Aufbau Principle
Learners write the electron configuration of elements using the Aufbau principle. In this chemistry lesson, students build their own key that demonstrates the principle.
Curated OER
Observation and Stimulation of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence
Students are introduced to chemical reactions, reaction rates, chemiluminescence, fluorescence and bioluminescence. They use glow sticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. Pupils recall...
Olomana School
Mixtures and Solutions: Paper Chromatography Experiment
Why does some ink bleed through paper, and other ink doesn't? Practice some paper chromatography to separate the colors from a pen with an interactive experiment for middle and high schoolers. Learners use a variety of solutions to track...