Virginia Department of Education
Partial Pressure
At some point, everyone has been under pressure—even Dalton! Explore Dalton's law of partial pressures with young chemists as they measure the volume of air extracted from a sample compared to its original volume. Class members perform...
Concord Consortium
Polymers and Monomers
You don't want to break these chains! Show young chemists and biologists the basics of polymerization with a simple interactive. The resource gives learners three types of polymers to experiment with, as well as a brief tutorial about...
Curated OER
Oil Embargo!
Ninth graders generate and analyze data to determine which and how much of two polymers best absorb oils, formulate procedure to accurately determine how many times its own weight particular polymer can absorb, and develop understanding...
Curated OER
Thermoset Polymers
Students complete a lab activity with polymers to allow them to better understand how to make "observations". In this science lesson students make measurements and collect data.
Curated OER
Leavening
Young scholars experiment with the various types of leavening agents and complete a muffin lab. They review the basics of lab management and safety procedures: sanitation, measuring, altering recipes, table setting and mealtime manners,...
Curated OER
Volcanoes
Students explore the formation of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson plan, students build their own volcanoes in the lab using different materials. They identify the different types of volcanoes.
Curated OER
Leavening
Students experiment with the various types of leavening agents and complete a muffin lab.
Curated OER
Field Trip to test Water Quality
Students examine water quality indicators,test water quality and record their results. In this water quality lesson students complete a water testing lab and complete a lab report.
Curated OER
How Genes Work Lesson Plan
High schoolers define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. In this genetics lesson plan students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.
Curated OER
To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Ester
Students explain the basic concepts of polymerization. Students participate in a lab to create a crude preparation of carboxyl esterase and test its effectiveness in reducing the residual monomer in an emulsion such as paint.
Curated OER
Polymerization Experiments
High schoolers explain the process of polymerization. In this chemistry lesson, students produce carboxylesterase in the lab. They test its effectiveness in removing the by-product odor.
Curated OER
Rusting-A Form of Oxidation
Students conduct an experiment to observe oxidation. For this chemistry lesson, students explain how rusting happens. They rank metals according to their conductivity.
Curated OER
Solar
Students study solar energy. In this renewable energy instructional activity students complete several lab activities using different controls and variables.
Curated OER
Rusting: A Form of Oxidation
Students observe and record the corrosive nature of oxidation-reduction reactions, and determine the electro-chemical series of selected metals.
Curated OER
The Penny Factory
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and separate or sort items using these properties. Students explain...
Curated OER
How Do I Get a Pure Sample of the Molecules I Make?
Students initially engage in online research and consult print materials to identify a compound to produce. Once a selection has been made, individually, students conduct lab experiments to isolate substances. The end product is a...
Curated OER
Vectors
Students describe motion by the use of adding vectors. They identify the difference between the x and y components of vector quantities. Students are given the Paper Bridge Building handout and the instructions as to where to perform...
Curated OER
Food Color Chemistry
Students investigate plant pigments in fruits and vegetables. In this plant pigments lesson plan, students observe the effects of pH changes on chlorophyll in one demonstration and they observe the effects pH changes on flavonoids in...
Cornell University
Making a Battery
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
Curated OER
Vitamins
Students determine the amount of vitamin C present in 3 samples of juice stored in various light conditions. In this vitamin lesson plan, students investigate the amount of vitamin C present in juice exposed to different quantities of...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Silver and Bandages: Assessment of Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid-Impregnated Bandages
Silver: more than jewelry, it's also a natural antimicrobial agent. An inquiry-based lesson asks collaborative groups to design and implement an experiment to test this property. Using samples of silver nanoparticles and a strain of...
Curated OER
Enzymatic Action
Students observe how a cell uses an enzyme to rid itself of a poisonous substance by experimenting with hydrogen peroxide, potatoes, liver and carrots. They record the temperature and changes of the hydrogen peroxide as other elements...
Curated OER
Catalase and Catalysis
High schoolers explore enzyme catalysis through a series of experiments. In this chemistry instructional activity, students determine the factors affecting catalysis. They explain the different uses of this process.
Curated OER
Bioluminescence
Students differentiate chemiluminescence from bioluminescence. For this biology lesson, students explain how fireflies and other animals emit light. They discuss the applications of engineered bioluminescence.