Everything you hear, see, smell, taste, and touch involves chemistry and chemicals (matter). And hearing, seeing, tasting, and touching all involve intricate series of chemical reactions and interactions in you body. With such an enormous range of topics, it is essential to know about chemistry at some level in order to understand the world around us.
(Click on any of the above topics to learn more about them)
Teacher Resources
Click here for a web based collection of lessons and web resources from the NSF or here to explore the American Chemical Society's website.
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Chemical & Engineering News
Ever wondered about what's really in hair coloring, Silly Putty, Cheese Wiz, artificial snow, or self-tanners? C&EN presents a collection of articles that gives you a look at the chemistry behind a wide variety of everyday products. What's that stuff? |
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The Comic Book Periodic Table of Elements
Comics and chemistry together? What could be better? Click on an element in the periodic table and see the comics associated with that element. |
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The Delights of Chemistry
40 chemistry experiments illustrated and explained, hundreds of photos and lots of videos... who could ask for anything more? |
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National Chemistry Week
Mark your calenders and get your students involved; anyone can participate! It only takes a little enthusiasm and use of the available resources to get started. Check out this website to explore the 2008 themes and community resources. |
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Learn Net
This collection of 100 chemistry experiments has been developed with the help and support of teachers throughout the UK. It is designed for both the experienced teacher of chemistry and for those whose first subject is not chemistry in the hope that they can communicate the excitement and wonder of the subject to their students. |
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The Exploratorium
Get a close-up view of life in action; stem cells, fruit flies, and more using the microscope imaging station. Or explore the science of cooking. Discover how a pinch of curiosity can improve your cooking! Explore recipes, activities, and Webcasts that will enhance your understanding of the science behind food and cooking. A long list of other chemistry resources is housed on the Exploratorium's page also! Something is sure to spark the interest of your students! |
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The pH Factor
This site will help teachers introduce the concepts of acid and base to middle school students. There are lesson plans, classroom activities, and a teachers guide. |
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Enrichment, Practice, and Games for Students
ACS Games
Science is all around us. From the food we eat, to the air we breathe, to the water we drink. The activities developed by the American Chemical Society can help get young people interested in chemistry by teaching them about the chemical properties of familiar objects. |
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The Elements
This flash animation mixes a catchy tune with the names of the elements on the periodic table. Only a minute long, the video is a great introduction as it gets kids of all ages into chemistry! |
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| The Strange Matter traveling exhibit, developed by the Ontario Science Centre, teaches kids about the amazing world of modern materials and materials science. The exhibition's Web site includes a teaching guide and activities for teachers to use, and activities, games, experiments, videos and more for kids. And there's fun stuff for families to do also! |
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| Chem for Kids is not just for kids. If you are looking for basic chemistry information, visit the site... it's for everyone. They have information on matter, atoms, elements, the periodic table, reactions, and biochemistry. |
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Meg A. Mole Future Chemist
Join Meg as she visits different chemists to learn about their jobs. She is always amazed at the variety of things they do. Visit the page to read about her adventures! |
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Great Chemistry Books
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Apples, Bubbles, and Crystals- Your Science ABC's by: Andrea T. Bennett, James H. Kessler, and Melody Sarecky
A is for apple. What makes apple slices turn brown? B is for bubbles. How can you make bubble solution from household items? C is for crystals. How are crystals made? Children can study the Alphabet and learn science at the same time |
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Molecules at an Exhibition: Portraits of Intriguing Materials in Everyday Life by: John Emsley
There are scores of myths surrounding the things we eat: chocolate is almost addictive; Coca-Cola is just a concoction of chemicals; garlic wards off heart disease and cancer; an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away. None of these statements is true, but they contain a germ of truth. In this gallery we can inspect the portraits of some of the natural and unnatural chemicals which a normal diet contains.
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Napoleon's Buttons by Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson
Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts. |
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Water Quality
Water quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water.
Click here for a national curriculum for colleges and high schools answering all your water quality questions!
pH
The pH of a sample is a measure of the concentration of the hydrogen ions. The term pH comes from a french word meaning power of hydrogen. Basically, the higher the pH, the fewer the hydrogen ions. Also, a change of one pH unit reflects a tenfold change in concentration of the hydrogen ion as it is logarithmic . For more information on pH and its importance, click here from water on the web, a standards-based curriculum resource for students and educators.
Click here for a lab experiment involving pH using hypothesis testing.
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Chromatography
Put your students to work as crime scene detectives! As a great intro to DNA, protein comparison, or simply as an elementary lab experience, try chromatography. Compare ink marks as they separate to determine who was at the crime scene.
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Polymer Bonding
Polymer are a special kind of molecule, that when bonded together, form in long chains, making them strong and stretchy. Explore different polymers in the classroom.
Strength of Spaghetti
This lesson, created by the American Chemical Society teaches students about the amazing strength of polymers through spaghetti exploration. Which kind of pasta is the strongest, and what may be some reasons? A
student sheet has also been created by William R Lammela, PhD of Nazareth College for use with this activity.
Polymer Inquiry Experiment
Another great activity involving polymers is this Inquiry lab, designed to develop problem
solving and experimentation skills in students of all ages. Students are presented with a goopy substance, and asked to mix one of their own to a similar consistency. This lab is extremely versatile, and can be tweaked to fit a wide range of grade levels and topics. The tactile experiences it offers are one of a kind, resulting in the creation of a substance similar to gak.
Visit
this site, created by Paul Lemur(!)
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