Greener Chemistry Labs for Good!
Safer, Engaging Chemistry Lessons Green chemistry. The term conjures different images for different people. Perhaps for the business minded, it’s chemistry dedicated to generating a lot of greenbacks (dollars). For others, maybe it’s a huge cauldron of bubbling green goo with a who-knows-what toxic vapor rising from the brew. In fact, it is neither of […]
Investigating Phenomena: What Is Elephant Toothpaste?
Carolina Phenomenon Phenomena-driven science! Phenomena are observable, naturally occurring events that are everywhere and spark student questions and investigations. Ask students to observe the DCI-linked phenomenon in the video and complete the attached student sheet prior to remote learning discussions. Observations: Carefully watch the elephant toothpaste (catalyst impact reaction rate) video. Gather all the evidence you can […]
Shaving Cream and Food Coloring Chemistry
Decorate wrapping paper or eggs while illustrating scientific concepts and making real-world connections. Foam shaving cream is primarily composed of air and soap. Soap is an amphipathic substance, which means that its molecules have both a hydrophilic (water loving) and a hydrophobic (water fearing) end. Because of this, soap is able to combine with water […]
How to Use a Graduated Cylinder
Get tips to help you measure the volume of a liquid with a graduated cylinder. Graduated cylinders are long, slender vessels used for measuring the volumes of liquids. They are not intended for mixing, stirring, heating, or weighing. Graduated cylinders commonly range in size from 5 mL to 500 mL. Some can even hold volumes […]
Making Ice Cream
Demonstrate the colligative property freezing-point depression and make edible ice cream at the same time. This safe, inexpensive, and engaging experiment works well for a science night, open house, kids’ group, or anywhere fun and science meet. Using table salt, reduce the temperature of a mix of ice and liquid water to below the freezing point of water. After 5 minutes, open the cup for a tasty treat.
Exploring Plant Pigments
Explore the pigments that give plants their colors The activity is designed for middle school students and explores the pigments that give autumn leaves their flamboyant colors. The shorter days and cooler temperatures of autumn trigger a slowdown in a tree’s metabolism, reducing its chlorophyll production and the flow of water and nutrients within its […]
Crystallization Investigation
Crystallization through precipitation lab Crystals are solids that form when molecules join in a regular repeating pattern. Crystals mesmerized humans early in our history and served as currency as well as decoration. Today, the jewelry industry relies on precious and semi-precious crystals for rings, pendants, and more; the electronics industry relies on quartz crystals for […]
Investigating Phenomena: What Causes pH Color Changes?
Carolina Phenomenon Phenomena-driven science! Phenomena are observable, naturally occurring events that are everywhere and spark student questions and investigations. Ask students to observe the DCI-linked phenomenon in the video and complete the attached student sheet prior to remote learning discussions. Observations: Carefully watch the pH color change video. Gather all the evidence you can from […]
Investigating Phenomena: What Causes the Whoosh?
Carolina Phenomenon Phenomena-driven science! Phenomena are observable, naturally occurring events that are everywhere and spark student questions and investigations. Ask students to observe the DCI-linked phenomenon in the video and complete the attached student sheet prior to remote learning discussions. Observations: Carefully watch the woosh bottle video. Gather all the evidence you can from the […]
Color Change Chemical Reaction
Also known as the traffic light reaction, indigo carmine produces a colorful demonstration In this activity, a redox indicator (indigo carmine) changes color as a result of electron transfer. The introduction of oxygen through swirling causes the indigo carmine to turn green as it is oxidized. Upon standing, the indigo carmine is reduced by the […]