Lesson Plan
Chymist

Esters: An Introduction to Organic Chemistry Reactions

For Students 9th - 12th
Scratch and sniff an introduction to organic chemical reactions. A creative instructional activity has individuals study the esters commonly used in scratch-and-sniff stickers and advertisements. Following the lab procedure, scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Bonds in Chemistry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Venture into the world of macromolecules with three exciting, distinct laboratory activities. Young chemists examine the forms of carbon and discover how they are associated with atomic arrangement, construct models of carbon-containing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Influence of Initiator Concentration on the Molecular Weight of Polystyrene

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
This in-depth organic chemistry lab walks learners through an investigation of the effect of initiator concentration on the resulting molecular weight of polystyrene. It is important that you use this lesson with experienced chemistry...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry Unit on Compounds, Formulas, and Equations

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars perform a review assignment in 3 portions to review chemistry compounds, formulas, and equations. The assignment consists of several different portions that can be used as assessments. The majority of the lesson plan is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymers and Crystals: Their Role in Food Science

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Blend chemistry with cooking in this exploration of polymers, carbohydrates, and food science. Experimenting with gelatin produces concrete examples of the bonding and ploymerization discussed in the lesson. Copious, comprehensive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymers all Over the Place

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students investigate properties of common molecules. In this chemistry lesson, students construct polymer models to gain a better understanding of the properties of polymers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big is a Molecule?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sweet Science: How Sugar Molecules are Manipulated in Candy Making

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate how heat affect sugar solutions. In this science instructional activity, students compare the sweetness of different types of sugars. They research the development of sugar and create a timeline.
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Making of Macromolecules

For Students 7th - 12th
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exposure!

For Teachers 5th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Electroplating

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Silver pennies and copper nickels are made possible by applying some chemistry. Learners use electrolysis to coat a penny with zinc sulfate and a nickel with copper sulfate. Their investigation builds an understanding of electroplating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Formulas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the structure of molecules, their formula, and percentage composition of each element in the compound. They construct an organic compound with different functional groups using a modeling kit, and draw a 3-D structure...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molecular Modeling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners work together to explain the VSEPR theory and how it relates to molecules. They name electron pairs that can surround the central atom of an organism. They discuss the factors that determine the polarity of a molecule as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Everything Made of?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students observe a demonstration on how we see space between water molecules.  In this experimental lesson students discover what elements make up the things around them and discuss what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Empirical Formulas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate empirical formulas for molecules. In this empirical formulas lesson plan, students use paper ions to form formulas and they show these are empirical formulas. They use ions of carbon and hydrogen showing electron...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymers

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore online tutorial on polymers. In this chemistry lesson, they create two polymers in the lab and compare their properties. They write a sales letter about their new and improved polymer product.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Two Types of Polyesters

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diffusion through Membranes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify diffusion and its processes through experimentation and calculations. They also use a CBL and conductivity probe to measure the conductivity of various solutions and study the effect of concentration gradients on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cell physiology and chemistry

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students design an experiment to discriminate between chemical diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion and active transport through a membrane. Be specific about predictions and interpretations!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation of Crystallinity in Polymeric Materials

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
A kaleidoscope is constructed using polarizing polymer paper and then low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene are all melted onto individual glass slides and examined through a microscope. The intent is to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Which Wrap Is Wrapped Right?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate the integrity and strength of different types of food wraps. They test the wraps and create a graphic organizer for the data. Once it is organized then a lab report can be written. The lesson contains background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ions in the Environment

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explain the importance of the five main biogeochemical cycles. In this chemistry lesson plan, students discuss how ions are transported in the environment. They design an experiment to collect data on eutrophication.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catering Middle-School Science: Monomers, Polymers, and Macromolecules

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate foods. In this biology lesson plan, students will conduct testing on different types of foods as they learn about different molecules that make them up. Students will also learn about the shapes of the molecules.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Winter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the nature of water and water molecules. They examine the role of ice on organisms.