Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Two Types of Polyesters
College-level or AP chemists use phthalic anhydride to synthesize two different polyesters, one linear and one cross-linked in structure. A detailed materials list and well-written procedures are provided on a lab sheet. Learners write...
Santa Monica College
Lewis Structures and Molecular Shapes
Learners practice drawing Lewis dot structures, build molecules with model kits, and predict molecular shapes using VSEPR theory. The combination of written work and hands-on reinforcement benefits young scientists.
PBS
NOVA RNA Lab Lesson Plan
Scholars learn the differences between RNA and DNA through discussion, virtual labs, worksheets, and video quizzes. They build their knowledge of molecular biology with support from video clips and handouts.
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...
Teach Engineering
Inside the DNA
Get your class to take a closer look at DNA. Pupils conduct research to determine the methods used by scientists to analyze the molecular structure of DNA. The class members investigate different types of molecular imaging along with gel...
LABScI
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table of Elements: The Secret Agent Lab
Food always gets attention! Model atomic structure using fruit loops to represent the subatomic particles. After building models, scholars create ionic bonds using their models. Finally, they use these concepts to create a periodic table.
Concord Consortium
Exploring Protein 3D Structure
Presenting protein structure can be difficult! Take young biologists on a 3-D amino acid adventure with a detailed interactive. Pupils view and manipulate common amino acids individually or as a part of a whole protein. Choose from three...
Concord Consortium
Polarization
This is one cool resource for teaching about polarity! Chemistry scholars observe electron distribution and molecular shape as they select different non-metals and form bonds. The interactive offers two views, surface charge and electron...
Concord Consortium
Factors Affecting London Dispersion Attractions
How can non-polar molecules be attracted to one another? Introduce the phenomenon of London dispersion forces to young chemists through an entertaining interactive. Pupils choose from a variety of molecular shape combinations, then pull...
Concord Consortium
Electron Geometry
It's time to whip your chemistry class into shape! Begin your study of molecular geometry with a colorful, 3-D interactive. The resource shows models of linear, trigonal planar, and tetrahedral molecules.
Concord Consortium
Exploring Hydrophobic Core
How do the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of a protein affect its shape? Science scholars explore the molecular properties of protein molecules using a detailed interactive. The resource allows the user to rotate the protein, view...
Virginia Department of Education
Molecular Model Building
During this hands-on activity, young chemists build molecular models based on the Lewis dot structure before studying valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
Curated OER
Molecular Models Laboratory
Students use models to visualize molecular structures. Students read about Lewis dot structures, hybridization, and formal charge. Then students build and draw the molecules and ions given. Students complete 11 pre-lab questions and 4...
Curated OER
New York City Water Quality Assessment Project
Students investigate the chemistry of water and how its molecular structure supports life through its biochemcial, physical, and environmental roles. They investigate the quality of water as it interacts with the environment. Students...
Curated OER
AP Biology Lab Review
A seventy-two slide PowerPoint that reviews several lab explorations done in an AP Biology course. For each lab there is a description, concepts, and conclusions. Many pictures and graphics make this visually appealing, but it would not...
Curated OER
Playful Polymers
Eighth graders investigate polymers and their structures. In this polymers lesson, 8th graders perform 6 activities to learn about polymers and their molecular structure. They categorize a bag of items as polymers and non-polymers based...
US Department of Energy
Thermodynamics—Teacher Guide
I'm so cool! No, you're exothermic. This thermodynamics lab unit includes an introduction, teacher demonstrations, six labs that students rotate through each class day, homework assignments, application of knowledge, and assessments....
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Sugar Crystal Challenge
Blow your learners' minds with a sweet lesson on nanotechnology that uses sugar to demonstrate the difference nanoscale surface area makes in dissolving and crystal formation. Plenty of supportive background information is read to...
Virginia Department of Education
DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
Virginia Department of Education
Structure and Function of Cell Membranes
Lead your high school class on an exploration inside the cell. Individuals investigate the relationships between cells structure and function given their relative locations on the cell membrane. They explore the concept of homeostasis...
Curated OER
Molecular Models
In this molecular formula activity students fill in a table describing elements and chemical formulas. They identify, elements by type and how they bond. The student analyze molecular formulas to identify the number of atoms and if the...
Curated OER
Properties of Useful Carbon Compounds
Nine action-packed organic chemistry exercises are contained in this mini-unit on carbon containing compounds. Examples include constructing models of alkanes, producing aromatic esters, and preparing pigments for paint and dyes....
Curated OER
Diffusion across a Selectively Permeable Membrane
Lab groups fill a section of dialysis tubing with glucose and starch solutions and suspend it in a water bath. They use iodine as a starch indicator and a glucose test strip to find out if either of the materials crossed the selectively...
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Eyes on Dissolved Oxygen
Learn about the factors that affect the way oxygen dissolves in salt water with a chemistry lab. After studying the molecular structure of water, young scientists figure out how aeration, temperature, and organic waste affect dissolved...