Resources for Science Teachers
Neutralization Reactions Lab: Reactions of Acids and Bases Reactions of Acids and Bases: We have already stated that a neutralization reaction will take place when an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water. The reason that it's called a neutralization reaction is because you are starting with a base (pH>7) and […]
Balancing Chemical Equations Digital Lab Activity Chemical reactions involve the changing of reactants into products. In every reaction the number of reactants and the number of products will always be equal. This is known as the ‘Law of Conservation of Mass”. This law is shown in a chemical reaction by balancing the reactants and products […]
Chemical and Physical Change Lab Before you begin your Chemical and Physical Change Lab make sure your students understand the following. Physical changes usually involve a change to a substances state of matter where heat energy is added or removed. The molecular structure of the substance remains the same. For this reason, physical changes can […]
When I introduce the Chemistry of Gases I always start with these 3 mini-labs. They get my students engaged and wondering before we ever go into the meat of the lesson. Let's get started... Lab Activity 1 - Making Hydrogen Hydrogen is a colorless gas which is at least 15 times lighter than any other […]
Elements and the Periodic Table Lab There are about 110 elements and 91 of them are found in nature. The rest have been created in laboratories. The elements are organized into metals and nonmetals. Most of the elements on the periodic are metals. The staircase is the dividing line between the metals and nonmetals. Any […]
Atoms and Molecules Lab Activity Introduction Before you start the building Atoms and Molecules lab activity you will need to introduce the following key vocabulary words. Atoms are the smallest units of matter. They consist of a central region called the nucleus and an area surrounding the nucleus called the electron cloud. Atoms contain three […]
Kool-Aid Solubility Lab This Kool-Aid Solubility Lab activity demonstrates the relationship between the temperature of a solvent affects (water) and the amount of solute (Kool-Aid) that can be dissolved using a real-world/familiar context. It is most appropriately carried out as pairs or groups of 3 students. Tang or other powdered drink can be substituted for […]
Nature of Matter Lab Activity Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space. In this lab, students will explore the nature of matter through a simple neutralization reaction between acetic acid (vinegar) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which generates carbon dioxide gas and inflates the balloon. The experiment may be done […]
Best Bouncer Lab Introduction This lab involves planning, conducting, and writing up a scientific investigation and will examine the skills covered in lessons 1-7 and 1-8 of this topic. Students will need up a maximum of lessons carry out all three parts of the investigation in class. The activity can be executed in a variety […]
Physical Science Lab Safety Activity #1 Wearing the proper personal protective equipment is important. The focus of this lab is on physical science lab safety procedures and following directions more so than the outcome of the experiment. Here, students will learn how goggles, a lab apron, and gloves can protect them from chemicals by performing […]