Household Chemicals & the Environment

Working in groups of two, learners examine their own carbon footprints and energy consumption, then determine a plan to reduce their impacts on the environment. Although designed to be a final project for a chemistry class, the...

Students discover the different types of hazardous waste. They examine ways to dispose of the hazardous materials safely and without harming the environment.

This is a classic chemical reaction to use in your science class. Starch and iodine mix to cause a color change. Discuss with aspiring chemists the chemical and physical changes that occur as you demonstrate.

Have your class write secret messages using Goldenrod paper and a basic liquid such as ammonia. This is a great way to illustrate the chemical reactions between acids and bases. This could lead to an exploration of chemical reactions and...

There's a lot going on here: air pressure changes, inertia, and chemical reactions. All of this occurs in 60 seconds time! As an end of the year physical science assessment, consider showing this video clip and then having learners write...

Make a Halloween pumpkin foam at the mouth! Using hydrogen peroxide, toothpaste, and yeast, you can recreate this chemical reaction in your classroom. It can lead to a discussion of the way ingredients mix together to make a new...

An acid/base indicator that's made of blended red cabbage and water is used to demonstrate the various reactions that an acid/base solution goes through when some carbon dioxide gas is added. The best way to add the carbon dioxide is to...

An exothermic reaction is demonstrated by showing what happens when hydrogen peroxide reacts with manganese dioxide. It creates the effect used by film makers to have a genie coming out of a bottle in a burst of cloudy gas. Spangler is...

Students examine the effect of hazardous chemicals on humans. They discover how the chemicals are cleaned up and the facilities in their neighborhood. They identify federal and local agencies that oversee environmental hazards

Students identify sources of home hazardous waste and create posters to educate the community about how to handle hazardous wastes.