Virginia Department of Education
A Crystal Lab
Young chemists grow ionic crystals, metallic crystals, and supersaturated crystals in three different lab experiments. Observing these under a microscope allows pupils to compare the various structures.
Curated OER
Investigation of Crystallinity in Polymeric Materials
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...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Solid State
Crystal comes from a Greek word meaning ice. Activity eight in a series of 36 has class members analyzing amorphous and crystalline solids and further classifying them based on their forces. They then explore solids, learning about unit...
Curated OER
Nature's Polyhedrons
High schoolers discover the characteristics of polyhedra. Through hands-on activities and interactive videos, students investigate and retrieve information on polyhedra and crystal structures. High schoolers study angles and symmetry....
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Making a Liquid Crystal Thermometer
Introduce your classes to a fourth state of matter! Liquid crystals have a colorful sheen that changes based on different physical factors. Learners use this information to create a liquid crystal thermometer where the color of the...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Nanotechnology Invention and Design: Phase Changes, Energy, and Crystals
What does it take to be considered a smart material? Learners investigate the properties of Nitinol, a smart material, through a hands-on lab activity. They examine the crystal lattice structure and the conditions required for Nitinol to...
Curated OER
Crystal Growing
Students explore the different phases of a crystal. In this mineral lesson students grow their own sugar crystals using a sugar recipe.
Curated OER
Review of Ionic and Covalent Compounds and Transitioning from Ionic to Covalent Compounds
Here is a unique assigment: compare and contrast ionic and covalent compounds in an extensive data table and then analyze Lewis dot structures in antoher. Three columns are to befilled in: "characteristic or feature," "applies to ionic...
Curated OER
Chemistry is Crystal Clear
Students observe crystals and their shapes and formation. In this crystal formation lesson, the teacher prepares crystal gardens for the students to observe, then the class finds examples of crystals in nature and observe a teacher...
Pingry School
Determination of the Percent Hydration and the Simplest Formula of a Hydrate
Does the crystal structure of a hydrated solid determine the proportion of water absorbed, or does the application of heat change the absorption? Scholars experiment with both variables to determine the answer. They add their collected...
Curated OER
Crystals
Students investigate patterns in solids, the structures of crystals and rocks made up of minerals. For this crystals lesson plan, students review solids, make patterns with Styrofoam balls, make crystals in the lab and observe their...
Curated OER
Chemistry Module
Young scholars build metal atomic models using styrofoam. In this chemistry lesson, students identify the different unique properties of metals. They explain how metal atoms bond.
Curated OER
Liquids and Solids
Young scholars describe the properties of solids and liquids, and explain how a semiconductor works. In this atom lesson students demonstrate the bonding properties of carbon and silicon.
Curated OER
Crystals: Geometry and Groups
Learners discuss the importance of examining crystals and experiment growing them. In groups, they complete a project in which they use groups in geometry just like crystallographers. They practice solving the groups and proofs and...
Curated OER
Watching Crystals Grow
Students observe crystal growth of Epsom salts and the variables that hinder or help their nucleation and growth. They illustrate a series of drawings/pictures as the crystals grow. They look for the different shapes they form as well...
Curated OER
For Creative Minds
Students study pictures of plants, animals, and minerals. Students classify the pictures into the three groups. In this rock identification lesson, students complete a rock finding lab experiment by finding, cleaning, identifying, and...
Curated OER
Allotropes
Brilliant graphics depict a variety of allotropes, especially the allotropes of carbon. Some notes are available to help make these useful for teaching your young chemists, but not for every slide. With some additional preparation on...
Curated OER
Nature's Polyhedrons
Students are introduced to polyhedrons through using straw models to explore geometric solids and constructing Christmas tree ornaments using Epsom salt crystals. Students will view interactive videos and investigate and retrieve...
Curated OER
Integrating Physical Science and the Geological Environment
Students undertake a series of experiments and activities related to geology, especially in Connecticut. They evaluate types of rocks, minerals, and crystals, exploring the main concepts of geology.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Rocks and Minerals in Our Lives
Young geologists discover the important role that rocks and minerals play in our everyday lives through this series of hands-on activities. Starting off with a lesson that defines the difference between plants, animals, and minerals,...
Curated OER
Minerals: Earth's Jewels
In this minerals worksheet, students will review 5 vocabulary words associated with minerals including rock, gem, ore, and crystal. Then students will complete a crossword puzzle with 7 terms relating to the different tests that can be...
Curated OER
Project Geode
Young geologists attempt to predict the appearnace of a geode's internal structure based on how it looks from the outside, its mass, and its physical characteristics. In this geologly instructional activity, learners use scientific...
Curated OER
Crystallization
Eighth graders analyze physical change in mass. In this chemistry activity, 8th graders describe, measure and calculate the amount of physical change occurring in mass before and after the change. Students should be familiar with...
Curated OER
Bonding
All different types of bonding are covered in this PowerPoint, along with details of resulting bond and molecule shapes. The definitions of traditional molecule shapes and characteristics of behavior are very useful to assist in...