Here's proof that small-scale labs lead to big-time learning. Introduce acid-base interactions to middle school scientists through a microscale chemistry lab. Pupils combine a variety of solutions and use indicators to obtain approximate pH values.

Concepts

acids and bases, making observations, chemical reactions, solutions

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Incorporate some basic pH knowledge into the lab to increase the rigor
• Use the lab as in inquiry tool to begin a study of acid-base chemistry

Classroom Considerations

• Pair students and assign roles if time and/or lab equipment constraints make individual work a challenge
  

Pros

• Teacher's guide contains extra resources to expand the lesson if needed
• Student instructions are simple and clearly written
• The microscale nature of the lab provides for easy set up and clean up

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3