Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymerization Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the process of polymerization. In this chemistry instructional activity, students produce carboxylesterase in the lab. They test its effectiveness in removing the by-product odor.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One Plus One Makes New

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars identify the different properties of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students design an experiment on a property of matter they would like to investigate. They report their findings in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Superballs

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students mix two different solutions to become more familiar with molecules and polymers. In this chemistry instructional activity, students decide whether or not the reaction between two solutions is chemical or physical. Students then...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Organic Chemistry

For Students 10th - 12th
In this organic chemistry worksheet, students answer 8 questions about organic molecules. They draw structural formulas for molecules, they identify classes of hydrocarbons in given diagrams and they draw specific components of given...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elastomers: The Best Bungee Cord

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students examine elastomeric polymers in a lab activity in which they design a bungee cord. Students must determine the tensile strength, percent elongation, and plot stress versus strain graphs for their experiments on rubber bands...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

#21 Films, Fibers, and Solubility

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners are introduced to how the differences in solubility of materials are used in the manufacture of fibers and films. They are also introduced to the various processes used to make films and fibers. Pupils prepare fibers using wet...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Battle of the Beams

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Make the strongest beam possible using taffy? Groups mold a taffy-water mixture into a beam and a reinforcing material of their choice. To finish the final installment of a two-part series, participants test its strength by adding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction To Carbon Nanotubes

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students engage in a study of nanotechnology that is meant to be an enrichment to the already established chemistry curriculum of high school. They are encouraged to make connections to daily life. The lesson plan includes background...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Edible Algae Models

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Sometimes it's okay to eat your science experiment. A hands-on activity has pupils create models for algae to learn about its cellular structure. The best part of the experiment? The resulting juice-filled gels are edible—yum!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Bouncing Balls

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders analyze the composition of different balls. In this science lesson, 2nd graders create their own balls using materials provided by teacher. They demonstrate what their invention can do.
Activity
Curated OER

The Bio-fuel Project: Creating Bio-diesel

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate bio-fuel. In this investigative lesson, students create bio-fuel from vegetable oil waste. Students will analyze, predict, collect and synthesize data from their experiments with bio-fuel.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Parts of Lab Report Review Sheet

For Students 10th - 12th
In this lab report worksheet, students answer ten questions by filling in a blank with the appropriate letter that corresponds to the part of the lab. Students determine where data goes, where observations go, where answers to discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Ester

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explain the basic concepts of polymerization. Students participate in a lab to create a crude preparation of carboxyl esterase and test its effectiveness in reducing the residual monomer in an emulsion such as paint.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Comparison of Polymeric Liquids with Newtonian Liquids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students perform several tests on liquids. In this general science lesson, students compare the properties of polymeric and nonpolymeric liquids. They explain the composition and importance of macromolecules.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
Lesson Plan
Lawrence Hall of Science

Photolithography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Examine the use of photolithography in the fabrication of circuit boards and other components. An advanced activity teaches pupils a process for transferring a pattern onto a surface. Using UV light and a light reactive substance,...
Activity
Southwestern Medical Center

A Classroom Demonstration of Protein Folding

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Does the mention of proteins and polypeptide relationships in your classroom result in mass confusion? Does the attempt to teach this important concept generate multiple questions and, at times, lead to a room filled with blank...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils work together to develop and implement an experiment. They investigate the properties of nylon and construct a mobile of organic materials. They share their experiments with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding of the Structure of an Amino Group

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the characteristics of acids and bases. They examine the structure of an amino group and compare amines to ammonia. They work together to develop the concent of polymerization.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson on Proteins

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the importance of proteins including their function and structure.  In this protein lesson students play a game to help them better understand proteins.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Bridging to Polymers: Thermoset Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students act as engineers to learn about the strengths of various epoxy-amine mixtures, and observe the unique characteristics of different mixtures of epoxies and hardeners. Student groups make and optimize thermosets by combining two...
Website
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Slime Chemistry

For Students 3rd - 5th
Have you ever wondered how fun toys like Silly Putty, Gak, and Slime are made? These products are so much fun because of the properties of polymers, which make them delightfully bouncy, stretchy, sticky, moldable, breakable, hard, soft,...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Let's Make Silly Putty

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners make two different formulations of imitation Silly Putty with varying degrees of cross-linking. They witness how changes in the degree of cross-linking influence the putty properties.