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 […]
Optics of the Human Eye
Background Geometric optics explains how optical devices (such as lenses and mirrors) create images by considering that light travels in rays, which are straight lines emanating from a light source or reflected from an object. A ray diagram is a useful tool in geometric optics; it describes images formed by lenses or mirrors. A ray […]
Plant Biodiversity Field Activity
Take your class outdoors to study biodiversity. What is biodiversity?? Simply stated, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms within a particular geographic area. In this activity, students go outdoors and sample the biodiversity of plant species in natural and cultivated areas. Then they compare the biodiversity of plants in the natural areas to […]
Cooking Eggs with Chemicals
A demonstration of denaturing protein Introduce high school biology and chemistry students to the concept of denatured proteins with this inexpensive, fun demonstration. Your students will be amazed when you “cook” an egg in hydrochloric acid, and they will learn that a protein (egg white) can be denatured by heat, or, as shown in the […]
Single-replacement Reaction
Create silver decorations with chemistry In this activity students perform a redox reaction in which silver take the place of copper in copper wire. The copper changes from its elemental form to its aqueous ionic form. During the course of the reaction, the silver ions are reduced and are removed from the solution. The silver […]
3-D Imaging: The Mystery Unlocked
Seeing the Solar System in a New Dimension Moviegoers are demanding more from their sensory experience, and 3-D viewing has become popular for many blockbuster movies. Unlocking the mystery of 3-D imaging not only spurs discussion about the greatest 3-D movies, but it also provides opportunity to discuss visual perception, optics, and colors with your […]
Make Your Own Indicators
Testing the pH of a solution is a fundamental skill in chemistry. Students typically test pH using a pH meter, litmus or pH paper strips, or one of a variety of commercial acid-base indicator solutions. Acid-base indicators are weak organic acids that change color depending on the pH of a solution. A wide variety of […]
Chicken Wing Musculature
Explore the structures and functions of muscle tissue Essential Question What are the structures and functions of muscle tissue? Activity Objectives Observe muscle tissue. Explain movement based on muscle attachment. Practice dissection techniques. Background There are 3 different types of muscle tissue. Smooth muscle can be found in organs in the digestive system, reproductive system, […]
The Effects of Cell Cycle Deviation on Cancer Development
While multiple forms of cancer exist, ultimately all cancers involve a loss of control of the cell cycle and dramatic changes in the rate of cell division. Cancer is a genetic disease, but primarily an acquired one. Most mutations arise from DNA errors introduced during replication that subsequently go undetected and avoid repair. DNA damage […]
Temperature Sensation Activity
How do the density and arrangement of cutaneous receptors vary on the human arm? The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Various receptors in the skin detect different stimuli. Mechanoreceptors respond to skin stretch, cold, changes in texture, and deep pressure. Thermoreceptors sense changes in temperature, and highly specialized nociceptors respond to […]