Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ionic bonding

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore ionic bonding. They draw examples of ionic bonding and explain the activities of the electrons of the elements. Students use paper plates and candy to draw electron configurations of given atoms.
Lesson Plan
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Polymers and Crystals: Their Role in Food Science

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Blend chemistry with cooking in this exploration of polymers, carbohydrates, and food science. Experimenting with gelatin produces concrete examples of the bonding and ploymerization discussed in the instructional activity. Copious,...
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Sorting Plastics For Recycling

For Teachers 9th - 12th
First, young chemists practice polymer identification by density and flame tests. With the data collected, they propose a method of separating polyethylene from other plastics and determine what property makes it desirable for recycling....
Lesson Plan
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Atoms and Elements: An Introduction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are able to discuss the difference between a proton, a neutron and an electron. They also can explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond. Students know the main structure of atoms and molecules. Student are able...
Lesson Plan
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The Chemistry of Water

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars investigate the properties of water. For this chemistry of water lesson plan, students observe a demonstration of the properties of water using sand, sugar, oil, vinegar and salad dressing. Young scholars experiment with...
Lesson Plan
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Biology: Protein Study

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in pairs, select and view proteins from the Protein Data Bank. After downloading the tutorial and instructions, they identify the protein's structures and primary biological functions. Then, students present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
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Structural Changes in a Protein

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students observe and manipulate the structure of a protein. They form an alpha helix, a beta sheet, and add disulfide bonds. They create a multimeric protein and compare their location with other students.
Lesson Plan
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Liquids and Solids

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students describe the properties of solids and liquids, and explain how a semiconductor works.  In this atom lesson students demonstrate the bonding properties of carbon and silicon.
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Candy Cane Chemistry

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, examine the effect of heat on bonding forces by doing laboratory work.
Lesson Plan
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Chemistry: The Case of the Sunken Ice Cube

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a density demonstration involving ice cubes and beakers of water and alcohol. After observing how one ice cube floats in water and sinks in alcohol, they determine which mixture of the two would suspend the ice cube in...
Lesson Plan
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Can Chromatography Separate A Pigment?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students separate a mixture of pigments with ion exchange chromatography and predict whether the ion-exchange matrix is positively or negatively charged based on the type of pigment bonded to the matrix.
Lesson Plan
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The Influence of Initiator Concentration on the Molecular Weight of Polystyrene

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
This in-depth organic chemistry lab walks learners through an investigation of the effect of initiator concentration on the resulting molecular weight of polystyrene. It is important that you use this lesson with experienced chemistry...
Lesson Plan
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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...
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Water and Polymers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations based on the interaction between water and various polymers. They determine the percent moisture contained in various plastics along with a qualitative procedure to determine...
Lesson Plan
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Intrinsic Viscosity

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students treat a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol polymer with potassium periodate. They measure the viscosity of polyvinyl alcohols.
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Classroom Aquaponics: Exploring Nitrogen Cycling in a Closed System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate nutrient cycling in a simplified desktop ecosystem involving aquarium and hydro-ponically grown plants. They set up an aquarium with 10 gallons of water at least a week before the lab is planned and place...
Lesson Plan
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Nano Interactions

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Tiny particles can provide big learning opportunities! Middle school scientists explore the world of nanoparticles through reading, discussion, and experiment. Collaborative groups first apply nanotechnology to determine water...
Lesson Plan
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Tie Dye

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice writing research proposals to test the color fastness of a dye once it has been exposed to a t-shirt. Each proposal needs details of experimental design, length of treatment, and means of cleaning the shirt. All...
Lesson Plan
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WHAT MAKES A LIGHT BULB LIGHT?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are able to use inquiry to answer the essential questions. They are able to predict and test configurations of a battery, bulb, and wire that make the complete circuit. Students craft a group and individual theory of a...
Lesson Plan
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Photosynthesis, Respiration, and the ATP-ADP Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. In this photosynthesis and respiration lesson plan, students learn about the role of the chloroplasts in photosynthesis and about the role of mitochondria in respiration...
Lesson Plan
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The Stock Market: High School Economics

For Teachers 12th
High school economists learn about the stock market in a project where they "buy" and track stocks. The author of this resource reports it is the high point of her 12th grade economics course, but no resources are attached. After viewing...
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Chemicals, Chemicals, Everywhere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars divide substances into categories: made of chemicals/not made of chemicals, synthetic/naturally occurring, and toxic/nontoxic. They observe a mystery chemical and determine what precautions they need to take when handling...
Lesson Plan
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Solar Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to answer basic questions about the process of turning light energy into electrical energy. They are introduced to the basic physics and chemistry behind the operation of a solar cell. Students explore how a single...
Lesson Plan
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The Effects of Temperature on Chemical Mixtures

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore chemical cahnges and the effect of temperature on chemical mixturees, They make observations of the behavior and appearance of certain chemical mixtures and reactions.