Creative Chemistry
Physical Properties of Group 1 Elements
In this elements activity, students complete a graphic organizer by filling in the symbol and atomic number for the given elements. Students plot a graph of melting point against atomic number. Students write the electron arrangements...
Curated OER
Phases of Matter
Learners comprehend the different phases of matter. They give examples of each phase and describe the processes of changing between these phases. Students are asked what is plasma? They are asked what is the four phases of matter? ...
Curated OER
Change of State
Students investigate the change of states of Butyl Stearate and the temperatures at which it changes state. In this change of state lesson plan, students place a test tube of Butyl Stearate in a cold water bath and monitor its...
Curated OER
Demonstration of Ideal Gas Law
You know that liquid nitrogen turns into a gas at room temperature. Place some in a two-liter bottle for a physics demonstration of the ideal gas law. Beware, however; this is a dangerous demonstration! Not to mention that you may not...
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids and Gases
Students are introduced to the various states of matter. After watching a video, they discover how to compare the three states using its shape and volume. In groups, they participate in an experiment with solids, liquids and gases and...
Curated OER
Mixtures of Matter
Students experiment with solids and liquids. In this mixtures of matter lesson, students combine matter to form solutions. Students hypothesize, test, and analyze the data to draw conclusions. The lesson can be extended by having...
Curated OER
Ready, Set, Let's Dough! It's a Matter of System
Students explore physical sciences by participating in a class experiment. In this matter lesson, students identify the three forms of matter and their physical differences. Students utilize cookie dough to create a play dough like...
Nevada Outdoor School
Let It Snow! Let It Melt!
Winter weather offers a great opportunity to teach young scientists about the states of matter. This activity-based lesson includes a range of learning experiences, from experimenting with the rate at which ice melts...
Columbus City Schools
What’s Up with Matter?
Take a "conservative" approach to planning your next unit on mass and matter! What better way to answer "But where did the gas go?" than with a lab designed to promote good report writing, research skills, and detailed observation....
PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...
Curated OER
Determining the Density of a Liquid
Students find the density of diet soda and regular soda. In this density lesson plan, students measure the mass of a graduated cylinder with 10 different volumes of each soda. They find the mass of the liquid alone and use the volume to...
Curated OER
Liquid Level
Students observe liquids in different containers and then explore the concept that liquids have level surfaces. They identify those who are not at the center to reinforce the concept of liquid levels with a representational puzzle and...
Curated OER
Strange States of Matter
Fourth graders explore objects that do not fit into the categories given by three states of matter. They explore why an object doesn't fit perfectly into one of the three categories. Students observe the properties of Oobleck. They...
Curated OER
Density and Mass
Students experiment to find which liquids are more dense. In this density and mass lesson, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. students observe which items sink and float. Students complete...
Curated OER
Ice Cream Blizzards
Fourth graders explore whether the making of homemade ice cream is a physical change or a chemical change in a lab experiment. Students identify states of matter, describe the physical properties of states, and collect temperature data...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Learners explore water as it changes states of matter. In this physical property instructional activity, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe changes in water as it goes from a solid to a liquid and...
American Chemical Society
Changes Caused by Heating and Cooling
It's heating up—and cooling down—in here! A hands-on instructional activity allows learners to experiment with melting and freezing butter to observe changes as a substance transitions between liquid and solid form. They also view an...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
What is the Water Cycle? Activity B
Curious physical scientists follow a instructional activity on the properties of water with this instructional activity on distillation. They observe a miniature water cycle model that filters dirty water into clean water. These two...
University of New Orleans
Rock Cycle and Rocks Lab
Science rocks! Explore three types of rocks and the rock cycle with an igneous rocks experiment. Pupils discuss textures, composition, and learn how melts are formed from the Earth's crust. They weigh materials using a scientific scale...
Curated OER
Activity #1 Reactions: Chemical or Physical?
Students distinguish between physical changes and chemical changes. They comprehend that chemical reactions produce new substances with compositions and properites which are different than those of the starting materials. Pupils also...
Curated OER
States of Matter and Chemical/Physical Changes Stations
Students break into four groups, starting at different stations. Each station should take about 10 minutes depending on prior knowledge of the topic. They then rotate when everyone is finished to the next station and discuss answers of...
Curated OER
Science: Solids
Second graders investigate the properties of solids and discover how to classify them. Using rulers, they measure various solids on display. In groups, they play an identification game where one students names a location, such as the...
Curated OER
Solid, Liquid, Gas!
Students determine the properties of the solids, liquids, and gases, and how they can recognize those properties by observing a teacher demonstration. Next, they experiment with at mystery matter that looks like a liquid but that takes...
Mr. E. Science
An Introduction to Matter
What's the matter? Gas, solid, liquid, or plasma. The presentation covers how to describe and identify matter, changes in matter, types of matter, measuring matter, particles of matter, Democritus, and John Dalton's Atomic Theory.