Curated OER
pH Potential
Students experiment to determine the positive and negative impacts of human activities on environmental change. They examine how physical and biological processes such as decomposition affect soil characteristics while looking at the pH...
Curated OER
The Perils of Drinking Water
Learners determine the presence of drugs in water. In this chemistry lesson, students experiment on water samples using thin layer and column chromatography. They determine the concentration of drugs present using graphical analysis.
Curated OER
Physiology Activity Perception and Behavior
Students conduct an experiment to determine a fly's ability to detect sugar, its behavioral response, how a previous experience may alter the response, if a fly can be tricked, and how human sensitivity compares to a fly.
Curated OER
Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Students investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
Curated OER
H2O2 Decomposition Lab I
Students conduct an experiment to determine how much hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is actually in a store-bought solution of H2O2.
Curated OER
Cation Separation and Identification
Students conduct an experiment in which they systematically separate cations from a mixture of substances. They use the following types of reactions to do so: precipitation, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction. They compare a...
Curated OER
This Stuff Makes Me Sick
High schoolers participate in a lab showing the effects of pesticides on Lumbriculus variegatus. Several extensions and variations are also included in this lesson including one which relates the experiment to how pesticides enter our...
Curated OER
Plant And Animal Cells
Students identify parts of plant and animal cells and describe the functions of each part. They distinguish between plant and animal cells. After a lecture/demo, students perform experiments which help them construct models of plant and...
Curated OER
Mystery of the Eleven Unknown Substances
Fourth graders identify eleven white substances that are commonly found in the household. They, in pairs, perform experiments on a variety of substances, and must identify them based on the reactions they observe.
Curated OER
Testing Growth of Algae
Students participate in an experiment in which they test the growing rate of algae. They test the algae in different elements recording their observations. They share their results with the class and discuss.
Curated OER
How Can We Determine the Concentration of an Unknown Solution?
Students participate in experiments to help them determine the concentration of an unknown solution. They graph a standard curve and plotting the relationship between the concentration and the amount of light needed. They discuss their...
Curated OER
Iron Filings
Students conduct an experiment in which a solution of copper(II) sulfate is added to iron filings. They write and balance the equation for the reaction that occurs and calculate the amount of iron that reacted and the percent yield of...
Curated OER
Landfills and the Potential for Groundwater Contamination
Young scholars examine how a sanitary landfill is constructed, how it functions, and how waste and leachate affects the areas around the landfill. After a discussion about landfills and leachates, students construct a Sanitary Landfill...
Curated OER
Cloning of Plasmid and Spinach DNA
Students ligate fragments of genomic DNA from spinach into a vector plasmid. They perform a restriction enzyme digestion. Student use a ligated DNA molecule to transform E. coli cells. Students analyze their procedures and outcome of...
Curated OER
Build Your Own Weather Station
Studens experiment with temperatures. In this science lesson, students make their own weather station by heating one bottle and keeping the water in another bottle at room temperature.
Curated OER
A Solubility Curve for Potassium Nitrate
Step-by-step laboratory instructions are listed so that chemistry explorers can consider the solubility of potassium nitrate. They combine their results with those of other lab groups and then graph the data to display the solubility...
Cornell University
Predicting Chemical Reactions
Prove the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab investigation. A well-designed lesson plan asks groups to combine materials and monitor indicators for chemical reactions. Measuring the mass of the reactants and products allows...
Cornell University
Chemical Reactions
Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for comparison.
Curated OER
Solubility Product of a Hydroxide
Students determine the solubility product constant and the concentration of a hydroxide. For this solubility product lesson plan, students use a solution of calcium hydroxide to neutralize a known concentration of hydrochloric acid. They...
Curated OER
Nailing Rust
When your upper elementary or middle school class is learning about chemical changes, these activities help demonstrate the concepts. In Part A, they submerge and place a nail partially underwater, then after a week they make...
Curated OER
Eutrophication
Young scholars observe the effects of eutrophication and determine why it is harmful to aquatic ecosystems. They create mason jar ecosystems to observe the growth of algae in pond water. In addition, they observe the effect of...
Nuffield Foundation
Making a Calibration Curve for Starch Concentration
How well can your class concentrate on solutions? Scholars use colorimeter absorption to explore a starch concentration calibration curve. They add iodine to different starch solutions to see how the concentration of the solution changes.
Curated OER
Chalk Fizz
Little chemists observe the effects of acid on calcium carbonate as an example of chemical change. As a demonstration you will place a raw egg in vinegar overnight, and as a lab activity, learners drip vinegar onto a piece of chalk....
Curated OER
What is Water?
Students examine water's properties. They participate in hands-on activities to show the properties of water.