Curated OER
Atomic Musical Chairs
An engaging activity enlightens young chemists in this lesson on atomic structure. They play musical chairs through a series of concentric circles that represent electon orbitals. A laundry basket in the middle holds the protons and...
Virginia Department of Education
Average Atomic Masses
Facilitate learning by using small objects to teach the principles of atomic mass in your science class. Pupils determine the average mass of varying beans as they perform a series of competitive experiments. They gather data and...
Kenan Fellows
Isotopic Pennies
Many people confuse atomic mass and atomic numbers. The sixth of seven lessons in a unit requires scholars to find the weight of different groups of pennies. Then, they must solve how many of each type of penny exists in a closed system...
University of Georgia
Bag O' Isotopes
Accommodate your chemistry class with an experiment that is both entertaining and educational. Through the activity, blossoming chemists perform calculations on various isotopes, as represented by beans and legumes, to obtain...
Curated OER
Chemistry 1 Practice Exam
Thirty multiple-choice questions and their answers are provided in this resource. It was written for a general chemistry course and queries test takers on scientific notation, mixtures, chemical symbols, electric charges, Dalton's atomic...
Cornell University
Isotope Rummy
Thanks to this game, teaching isotopes will never be the same. Physical science scholars work their way toward understanding isotopes in an entertaining game. Pupils play rummy in groups while practicing good sportsmanship and creating...
Virginia Department of Education
Isotopes
Lead your class through the amazing world of isotopes as they investigate the various properties they contain and further understand their respective location on the periodic table. They explore half-lives and radioactivity as each...
Curated OER
Making Models of Atoms and Isotopes
In this models of atoms and isotopes worksheet, students use marshmallow of different colors to represent the protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom. Students make models of the 3 isotopes of hydrogen. They draw a diagram of each and...
Curated OER
Chocolatium
Students find the average atomic mass of M & M's. In this chemistry lesson plan, students are given a sample of the element chocolatium and the atomic mass of each sample. They then find the average atomic mass.
NASA
MASS, MASS – Who Has the MASS? Analyzing Tiny Samples
What is it worth to you? A hands-on activity asks groups to collect weights of different combinations of coins and calculate weighted averages. They use the analysis to understand the concept of an isotope to finish the third activity in...
Curated OER
Atomic Properties of The Elements
In this chemistry worksheet, students examine the periodic table and how it is used in the context of interpreting compounds and their structure.
Curated OER
Cosmic Chemistry: An Elemental Question
Space scientists investigate the cosmic phenomena in order to search for answers to possible origins of the solar system. They consider the concepts of elements and isotopes. Data is analyzed looking at tje abundance of elements...
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Alphas, Betas and Gammas Oh, My!
Referring to the periodic table of elements, nuclear physics learners determine the resulting elements of alpha and beta decay. Answers are given in atomic notation, showing the atomic symbol, mass, atomic number, and emission particles....
American Institute of Physics
African Americans and the Manhattan Project
A lesson about the Manhattan Project will explode young physicists' understanding of the racial attitudes in the United States during and after World war II. Groups select an African American scientist or technician that worked on the...
Curated OER
Frosty the Snowman Meets His Demise: An Analogy to Carbon Dating
Students read and discuss an article about carbon dating, then participate in a hands-on lab to discover how carbon dating works. Students also write a letter to a friend explaining the process, and how archeologists use the process to...
Virginia Department of Education
Elements and Electron Configuration
It's electronic! Pupils uncover elements and their electron configurations as they explore mass, groupings, correct charges, and sliding theory. Young scientists learn creative ways to remember various elements and correctly...
Curated OER
Radioactivity Experiments
Students study the difference between types of ionizing radiation and how elements are transmuted. They determine that radiation is normal and surrounds us. They calculate the amounts of alpha, beta and gamma radiation emitted from a...
Curated OER
Periodic Table of Elements
In this chemistry worksheet, students use the periodic table of elements in order to identify the common elements. The detail is very detailed.
Curated OER
Introduction to the Periodic Table
Eighth graders investigate the different elements of the Periodic Table. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders pick an element to research, then present to the class using a powerpoint presentation or a poster.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Isotopes: Using M&m's as a Model for Calculating Atomic Mass
This activity allows students to gain an understanding of the relationship between the mass and relative abundance of an isotope and its effect on the average atomic mass of the element. Students will be given a random sample of the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass Using Pennies
In this activity, students apply what they have learned about weighted averages, isotopes, and systems of equations to a new situation - coins in a sealed container. They learn some historical information regarding the composition of...
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Periodic Table
Students explore the periodic table and learn the basic information given for elements: the name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass for each element.