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K-12 Grade Chemistry Lessons

This is a collection of chemistry curricula suitable for primary and secondary students and their teachers. Students learn about atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions. Educators find teaching resources and relevant laboratory demonstrations.

Teach Yourself Chemistry

You can teach yourself general chemistry with this step-by-step introduction to the basic concepts.

How to Write a Lab Report

Lab reports are an essential part of all laboratory courses and usually a significant part of your grade. If your instructor gives you an outline for how to write a lab report, use that. Here's a format for a lab report you can use if you aren't sure what to write or need an explanation of what to include in the different parts of the report.

Atoms and Atomic Theory - Study Guide

Get essential facts about atoms and the basics of atomic theory, work problems to test your skills, then take a quiz to make sure you understand the concepts.

Periodic Table Study Guide

Learn about the periodic table of the elements. Find out about the history of the periodic table, how the elements are organized, and how to use the periodic table to predict the behavior of unfamiliar elements.

Baggie Chemistry - Experiment with Chemical Reactions

Introduce students to chemical reactions and experimentation using common materials and baggies.

Basic Model of the Atom

Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Chemistry Scavenger Hunt

A chemistry scavenger hunt is an educational game where you find items that match a description. It's a great way to learn key concepts. Here's a list of chemistry scavenger hunt clues and items that match.

Classic Chemical Volcano

Here are the instructions for making the classic chemical volcano. This demonstration uses ammonium dichromate to produce 'Vesuvius fire', with glowing sparks and a cone of deep green ash.

Experimental Determination of Avogadro's Number

Did you know that Avogadro's number isn't a mathematically derived unit. The number of particles in a mole of a material is determined experimentally. This easy method uses electrochemistry to make the determination.

Famous Chemists

This is an index of famous chemists and other scientists who made important contributions to the field of chemistry, arranged alphabetically according to the scientist's last name.

Flash Cards - How to Use Flash Cards to Study Chemistry

Flash cards can be a great study aid. You can use them to help memorize facts, lists, and structures as well as to reinforce important concepts. Here's how to prepare and use flash cards to help study chemistry.

Fruit Ripening and Ethylene Experiment

Measure the ripening of fruit from exposure to the plant hormone ethylene by testing starch levels with an iodine solution. This easy experiment can be performed on several types of fruit, such as apples, pears, and bananas.

How Do Detergents Clean?

Learn about the chemistry behind the cleaning power of detergents.

How To Color Fire

Have you ever wanted to color fire? Here are simple, nontechnical instructions for making your own colored flames. Add extra interest to your fireplace or campfire!

How to Grow Great Crystals

Do you want to grow crystals, but you aren't sure where to start or what to do to make sure your crystals turn out well? Here's some basic information on crystal growing. I've provided links to recipes so you can start growing crystals. These instructions are general, so if your recipe calls for something special (like no vibrations or dark), be sure to follow those directions, too.

How to Make Ice Cream in a Baggie

Make a tasty treat and learn about freezing point depression, too! All you need are some basic ingredients and two ziploc baggies. It's easy, fun, and educational.

How to Make Red Cabbage pH Indicator

Make your own pH indicator solution! Red cabbage juice indicator is easy to make, exhibits a wide range of colors, and can be used to make your own pH paper strips.

Identify an Unknown - Experiment with Chemical Reactions

Use this chemistry lesson plan to help students use the scientific method to design experiments to identify the components of an unknown mixture.

Make Frozen Bubbles

Use dry ice to freeze bubbles solid so that you can pick them up and examine them closely. You can use this project to demonstrate several scientific principles, such as density, interference, semipermeability, and diffusion.

Scientific Law, Hypothesis, Theory Definitions

Words have very specific meanings in chemistry and other sciences. Learn about the difference between a scientific law, hypothesis, and theory. Examples are provided for each term.

States of Matter

Get definitions and examples of the main states of matter: solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

Chemical Bonding

A course of study designed for classroom instruction.

Chemical Carousel

Follow protein and carbohydrate synthetic and metabolic pathways.

Chemical Elements and Their Symbols

Games to enhance familiarity with the elements. From The Learning Group.

Chemtutor

Online elementary chemistry text. Includes a section on proper study habits.

CHEMystery, Virtual Chemistry Textbook

Chemistry lessons, some with sound and motion.

Contemporary Physics Education Project

Learning source for the Standard Model of the atom.

Dr. Cal's Guide to Good Laboratory Practices

Safety and notebook guidelines from Cal Chany, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Element Games

Learn about elements and the atomic structure. From the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Science

Debatable topics raised by developments in basic science.

Grade 11 Chemistry

Questions and answers in chemical reactions, bonding, gas laws. From Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

Mad Scientist Network

An attractive site for all ages. Visit the MadSci Archives and the Edible/Inedible Experiments Archive.

MathMol Hypermedia Textbook

Molecules and the ways math is used to describe and examine them.

Microscale Gas Chemistry

Generation of gases for laboratory demonstrations. From Bruce Mattson, Creighton University.

MicroWorlds – Structure of Materials

Perform research with the Advanced Light Source of the University of California at Berkeley.

Particle Adventure

Required reading for understanding the Standard Model.

Polymers, They’re Everywhere

Colorful grade school introduction to natural and artificial polymers. From the National Geographic Society.

Science Resource Center

Tutorials and experiments for science teachers includes information about the ChemCom curriculum of the American Chemical Society. From Patrick M. Gormley, Lapeer Community Schools.

Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids

Homemade models demonstrate scientific principles. From Simon Quellen Field.

SMILE Program Chemistry Index

Hundreds of single concept chemistry lessons available.

Snow Crystals

Introduction to every facet of snowflake formation. From Kenneth G. Libbrecht, California Institute of Technology.

Soaps and Detergents

Chemical introduction to cleaning products.

Succeed in Physical Science

Tutorials and experiments. From Ron Kurtus, School for Champions.

Explore Chemistry

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