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
Ice Cream Chemical and Physical Changes
Fourth graders identify characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and that these properties can be used separate. Students describe the...
Curated OER
Superballs
Students mix two different solutions to become more familiar with molecules and polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students decide whether or not the reaction between two solutions is chemical or physical. Students then observe the...
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Learners explore solids, liquids, and gasses and categorize and describe the three states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students categorize items as solid, liquid, or gas based on the definitions given by the teacher. Learners...
Curated OER
Mixtures
Sixth graders experiment with mixtures. For this chemistry lesson, 6th graders determine which mixtures are considered heterogeneous, a suspension, a solution or a colloid. Students create a data sheet of what they discover.
Curated OER
Rusting and the Scientific Method
Pupils observe the oil can scene with the tin man from a clip from "The Wizard of Oz" and answer the question, "What can we learn about rust from this scene?". They take 2 tubes and 2 nails, adding 1 salt packet to 2 ml of distilled...
Curated OER
The pH scale
Learners list the common properties of acids and bases. They classify substances as acids or bases, by using pH and litmus tests and are able to explain the pH scale. They participate in a lab activity which reinforce their understanding.
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Magnets
Learners investigate the magnetic attraction of different materials by observing a demonstration, and review the words "attraction" and "materials." Next they conduct exploration of a number of materials which have different properties...
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Does Size Matter?
Middle schoolers explore chemical solutions. For this chemistry lesson, students investigate the relationship between three related experiments about solutions. Middle schoolers determine variables that affect the chemical concentration...
Curated OER
How Big is a Molecule?
Young scholars estimate the size of a molecule of oleic acid. They conduct an experiment using chalk dust, water, and oleic acid, solve various calculations, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
Separation of Mixtures and Compounds For K Through 12
Students explore mixtures and compounds. In this lesson, students do an experiment to distinguish between mixtures and compounds. Students complete ten different phases of the experiment testing many different substances. Students will...
Curated OER
Survival Science: How Evaporation and Condensation Can Save Your Life!
Eighth graders demonstrate how scientific principles can be used to provide resources in an emergency situation. In this evaporation lesson students view a demonstration on a solar still and see a brief PowerPoint presentation.
Curated OER
Root, Root, Root for the Nutrients
Students observe the growth of a seed, predict what will happen when seeds are planted without soil, and conduct an experiment using a hydroponics system.
Curated OER
Identifying Acids and Bases
Sixth graders observe the physical and chemical change that can occur in an acid and a base. In this acids and bases lesson plan, 6th graders use cabbage juice to identify, compare, and contrast acids and bases.
Curated OER
The Same But Different
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made. Students discuss the different states of matter and their distinct physical...
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Lotic Environment
Students assemble a classroom river model as an example of a lotic system. They control and measure biotic and abiotic information for the in-class system and compare data with a lotic system in a natural environment.
Curated OER
Air Pollution Over Where?
Young scholars predict the movement of an air borne pollutant using their understanding of air currents. They determine which governments and/or communities should be contacted to be forewarned. They also explore the properties of their...
Virginia Department of Education
Acids and Bases
What did one titration say to the other titration? We should meet at the end point! Young chemists perform four experiments: dilute solution, neutralization, titration, and figuring pH/pOH.
Virginia Department of Education
Soap, Slime, and Creative Chromatography
Do you think chromatography paper suffers from separation anxiety? Young chemists make soap, slime, silly putty, and experiment with chromatography in this instructional activity. The material includes clear instructions for each...
Virginia Department of Education
Heat Transfer and Heat Capacity
It's time to increase the heat! Young chemists demonstrate heat transfer and heat capacity in an activity-packed lab, showing the transitions between solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of materials. Individuals plot data as the changes...
Curated OER
Mystery of the Eleven Unknown Substances
Fourth graders identify eleven white substances that are commonly found in the household. They, in pairs, perform experiments on a variety of substances, and must identify them based on the reactions they observe.
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Microscopes and Crystals
Students observe crystals under the microscope. In this science lesson, students compare how the crystal look like using their eyes, hand lens and microscope. They identify the type of crystal based on the amount of light they allow to...
Curated OER
Landfills and the Potential for Groundwater Contamination
Students examine how a sanitary landfill is constructed, how it functions, and how waste and leachate affects the areas around the landfill. After a discussion about landfills and leachates, students construct a Sanitary Landfill Model...
Curated OER
Acids and Bases: Together again!
Students identify principles behind acid-base reactions. They predict factors that may affect an acid-base reaction. Students identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.