Curated OER
Chemicals in Your Life
In this chemicals instructional activity, students fill in 61 blanks of statements comparing the chemicals used in farming and the chemicals found in medicines and food.
National Institute of Open Schooling
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Although their name makes them sound dangerous or toxic, carboxylic acids are found throughout nature in things such as citric acid, vinegar, and even in your DNA. Through detailed readings, discussions, and answering questions...
Curated OER
Lead and Mercury: Comparing Two Environmental Evils
High schoolers in chemistry or health courses look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and periodic table of elements to gather information about mercury and lead, two toxic materials that have been found in food products. They read...
Curated OER
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Useful as a model for an individual research presentation, these slides cover the Bhopal Gas disaster. Information cited includes data about the hazard rating of the chemical as well as the health effects of the dumping. Both science and...
Curated OER
Playing With Polymers
Students explore the world of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students make polymers and observe their properties. Follow-up questions and extension activities are included.
Curated OER
Children's Health: Children Aren't Little Adults
This lesson plan is a compilation of interdisciplinary, technology-infused activities that focus on the often complicated and sometimes controversial issues related to toxic chemicals in children's environment. Special emphasis is placed...
Curated OER
Where Do All the Toxins Go?
Young scholars demonstrate how chemicals accumulate in fish fat. They study path ways of toxins in the fish's body and ways to prepare fish to avoid consuming the toxins. They examine U.S. and Canada regulations to protect the environment.
NOAA
What Killed the Seeds?
Can a coral cure cancer? Take seventh and eighth grade science sleuths to the underwater drugstore for an investigation into emerging pharmaceutical research. The fifth installment in a series of six has classmates research the wealth of...
American Chemical Society
The Energy Efficiency of Heating Water
Can a small change in laboratory procedures save energy? Scholars test three different methods for heating water in a science lab. Then, they calculate the energy efficiency for each and compare them to determine which uses the least...
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...
Curated OER
Hazardous Household Products Quiz
In this hazardous products quiz, students give short answers to fifteen questions related to hazardous material found in or around the home. Students are questioned about what to do in given situations.
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...
Curated OER
The Dose makes the Poison
Learners investigate the effect of a chemical (they choose) on the germination of seeds. They calculate % chemical concentrations in water, form a hypothesis, and discuss the ethics of using animals in biomedical research.
Curated OER
Pesticides and Eggshell Thinning.
Students analyze the calcium content of egg shells as an introduction to the toxic effects of pesticides on biological systems.
Curated OER
Bhopal - Runaway Reaction
Students research and study the disaster of Bhopal to grasp the essential concept of controlling chemical reactions. They explain how the Bhopal disaster might have been prevented based upon their knowledge of factors affecting the rate...
Curated OER
Environmental Hazards
Students identify environmental hazards on a simulated field trip. They analyze the exposure and suggest methods to eliminate or reduce exposure to toxic sources.
Curated OER
H is for Hazardous
In this toxic materials activity, students read the sentence about toxic pollution. Students then may color the picture of the skull and crossbones. Students color and read 'H is for Hazardous.'
Curated OER
The Hazardous Waste Dilemma
Students discuss the characteristics of a hazardous waste site and how they can cause health problems to humans. In groups, they research the various ways to deal with the hazardous materials and read recent articles on the subject. To...
Royal Society of Chemistry
A Solid-Solid Reaction between Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide
Why is it so difficult to make two solid compounds react? Investigate the concepts of particle collisions and rate of reaction using a quick demonstration. The colorful experiment features two plain, white solids combining to form a...
Curated OER
Grow an Alum Crystal
What an exciting lab experiment to conduct with your high school chemistry class! Crystals are formed naturally in the environment. However, allow your blossoming chemists to create their own unique crystals using alum and water. You may...
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
The Chemistry of Lead
Learners explore the basic concept of physical and chemical properties of the element lead, as well as its historical and modern day uses, and how and why it is toxic to the human body. They are shown the basic reactions of the element...
Curated OER
Get to the Point!
Students write out sources of pollution and identify contaminants are most likely found in urban runoff. In this pollution lesson students compare toxicity tests and chemical analysis of potential contaminants.
Curated OER
Pesticides in Schools
Students investigate the practices their school uses for pest control. Depending on their findings, students may suggest alternative, non-chemical methods. They present a pest control plan to school officials. Great, real life lesson!