middle school science

Expanding on Self-Inflating Balloons: Activities Involving Moles, Gas Laws, and Thermochemistry

Dean Campbell | Thu, 02/10/2022 - 08:42

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Balloons that inflate using carbon dioxide produced from the reaction of citric acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate can be used to demonstrate a number of aspects of chemistry. Gas laws were used with the balloons to illustrate limiting reactants, molar mass of gases, and rockets. The endothermic reaction in the balloon was visualized with an infrared camera, and the Green Chemistry aspects of these balloons were considered.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #19: Multi-colored Mixture

Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 02/06/2022 - 13:22

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Did you figure out how to create a multi-colored mixture? Check out the solution to Chemical Mystery #19: Multi-colored Mixture!

Chemical Mystery #19: Multi-colored Mixture

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 01/31/2022 - 16:06

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Can you use your knowledge of chemistry to figure out what is going on in Chemical Mystery #19?

Food Dyes as Acid-Base Indicators

Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 11/28/2021 - 10:51

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Natural food dyes are being sold online and in stores that can be used as acid-base indicators. These dyes open up a host of possibilities for at-home and in-class. For example, these food dyes can be used as indicators in the quantitative titration of the Mg(OH)₂ in milk of magnesia.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #18: Peek A Boo Blue!

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 08/18/2021 - 09:09

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Check out the solution to Chemical Mystery #18: Peek A Boo Blue!

Reflections on Choice Boards in the Chemistry Classroom

Stephanie O'Brien | Thu, 06/24/2021 - 11:01

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Stephanie O'Brien shares lessons learned and strategies for utilizing choice boards in chemistry classroom.

Simple formation of metal mirrors

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 05/10/2021 - 09:57

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Beautiful, metallic mirrors of copper or silver can easily be formed in test tubes. Simply add the appropriate metal salt to a test tube, and heat! These reactions should be performed in a fume hood.

What do you want to know about your students' chemical thinking? Categorizing chemistry formative assessments

Scott Balicki | Mon, 05/03/2021 - 07:57

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In order to teach chemistry effectively, we must ascertain what our students are thinking about chemistry and make a decision regarding what to do with what we learn. Formative assessment questions provide a useful lens into students' minds regarding what they are thinking about chemistry. Let us consider then, how categorizing formative assessment questions could help us plan out our classes more deliberately, in order to better design purposeful written formative assessments that align with our curricular goals.

The Magical Periodic Table and The Element Girls Series

Rajasree Swaminathan | Tue, 04/13/2021 - 08:43

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Rajasree Swaminathan has developed a series of books that combines story-telling and visual representation of the elements as human characters. Along with hands-on activities, these books have created enthusiasm in her chemistry classes.

Skype with a Scientist Live

Stephanie O'Brien | Thu, 04/08/2021 - 09:31

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This year so many in-person events at school have not been able to happen due to COVID restrictions. One activity that the author's science honor society students have enjoyed greatly is the Skype with a Scientist Live sessions. Students register in advance and then have the opportunity to be face to face with a scientist.