Curated OER
Pyrotechnics for Pyromaniacs
Students explore how chemistry is associated with the annual celebration of America's independence. They learn what gunpowder is made of, the anatomy of a firework, how noise is made in fireworks and the safety issues.
Curated OER
Chemical Formulas and Naming
Students practice naming and writing formulas for simple chemicals. After a review of vocabulary, they create ion flash cards and discuss the rules for writing chemical compounds. They practice naming and writing the formulas based on...
Curated OER
Water Cycle
Young scientists explore Earth elements by conducting an experiment. They define water vocabulary terms such as condensation and precipitation. In addition, they conduct a water experiment in which they build a terrarium, so they can...
Curated OER
Water Cycle Activity
Young scholars build a model and observe the cycle of evaporation and condensation that occurs in the water cycle. They see how the water cycle works, such as water condensing on the side of the jar and drops precipitating into rain...
Curated OER
Periodic Table
Students identify the periodic table trends and predict material properties. They also design and conduct simple experiments and test material properties. Finally, students compare and contrast material properties and that chemical...
Curated OER
Causal Patterns in Density Phenomena
Learners consider the causes of density at a microscopic level. They then discover that one cause of density has to do with how many protons and neutrons the material contains.
Curated OER
Chemicals, Chemicals, Everywhere
Students divide substances into categories: made of chemicals/not made of chemicals, synthetic/naturally occurring, and toxic/nontoxic. They observe a mystery chemical and determine what precautions they need to take when handling an...
Curated OER
The Physical Behavior of Matter
Learners distinguish between three phases of matter: solid, liquid and gas, on the molecular level. They compare and predict the relative compressibility of the three phases of matter through journal writings and drawings.
Curated OER
Dust in the Wind; Chemicals in the Water
Students explore mechanical and chemical weathering at stations. They articulate some mechanisms of chemical and mechanical weathering through exploration in a lab. Students stations describe how chemical weathering differs from...
Curated OER
Science: What Happens to Create the Lode?
Young scholars understand how mineral deposits are formed and why they are not evenly dispersed. They create and describe three different precipitates from four solutions simulating mineral ore deposit formation in sedimentary rock.
Curated OER
EGG-cellent POLYMER PACKAGING DESIGN
Learners investigate the concept of a polymer using an experimental design of protecting an egg in a bookbag. They test the properties of polymers and form an educated solution to the proposed problem. Then they describe the steps used...
Curated OER
Putting on Mass: Just how do Trees grow?
Students articulate an explanation of photosynthesis. They identify problems they have with comprehension of how a plant gains mass. Students describe a historical experiment.
Curated OER
Drifting Continents, Dynamic Results
High schoolers plot earthquake and volcano data using a Compass Rose Plotting. They explain the relationship between plate movement and connection. They draw conclusions that earthquakes and volcanoes occur in predictable locations.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Moving Molecules in a Solid
Learners observe and describe, on the molecular level, how heating and cooling affect the motion of molecules in a solid.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Fundamental Building Blocks of Matter
This lesson plan explores the fundamentals of atoms and their structure. The building blocks of matter (protons, electrons, neutrons) are covered in detail. Students think about how atoms and molecules can influence new technologies...
PBS
Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Teaching Guide: Tasty Models (9 12)
In this hands-on lesson, young scholars use candy to construct models of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats). Create visualizations that will aid in learning about dehydration synthesis and bond saturation in fat molecules....
Other
Science Alive: What Is Organic Chemistry?
This reading/lesson plan introduces students to the concept of organic chemistry.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Represent Bonding With Lewis Dot Diagrams
Learners draw and interpret Lewis dot diagrams for individual atoms and both covalent and ionic compounds.
McREL International
Mc Rel: Glue Polymer (Whelmer #15 Learning Activity)
An easy to do activity that investigates the basic principles behind chemical bonding. The activity is written in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science: Ms Ps1 1: Atomic Composition Model
A collection of lesson plans for helping middle schoolers understand atomic composition. Site uses work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos to plan lessons to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules.
Utah STEM Foundation
Utah Stem Action Center: Smoke in a Bottle
Middle schoolers will learn how complete and incomplete combustion is different and also how the products affect us.
McREL International
Mc Rel: Whelmer #33 Learning Activity: Density Balloon
A simple activity that investigates the effect of heat on the volume of a gas. The activity is presented in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.