Quest: Chemistry
In junior high school chemistry, students are introduced to fundamental concepts that form the foundation for more advanced study in high school chemistry. Here's a list of key topics that should typically be covered:
https://www.uen.org/core/core.do?courseNum=3621
By covering these topics, students will gain a solid understanding of basic chemistry principles and be well-prepared for more advanced chemistry topics in high school.
5-Week, 4-Days-Per-Week Course Plan: Strand CHEM.1: The Structure and Properties of Atoms
Week 1: Foundations of Chemistry
W1:Day 2: Introduction to Chemistry
- Topics: Definition of chemistry, branches, and the scientific method.
- Activities: Discuss the role of chemistry in everyday life and ask testable questions.
W1:Day 3: Matter and Its Properties
- Topics: States of matter, physical vs. chemical properties and changes.
- Activities: Develop a model showing particle arrangements in solids, liquids, and gases.
- Topics: Protons, neutrons, electrons, and the periodic table's organization.
- Activities: Explore patterns in the periodic table to predict element properties.
w1:Day 4: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
- Topics: Classification of matter, mixtures vs. pure substances.
- Activities: Design an experiment to separate a mixture based on physical properties.
Week 2: Chemical Reactions Basics
Day 5: Introduction to Chemical Reactions
- Topics: Evidence of chemical reactions, reactants, and products.
- Activities: Perform a simple reaction (e.g., vinegar and baking soda) and analyze results.
Day 6: Balancing Chemical Equations
- Topics: Law of Conservation of Mass.
- Activities: Practice balancing chemical equations using real examples.
Day 7: Types of Chemical Reactions
- Topics: Synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion.
- Activities: Classify reaction types from provided equations.
Day 8: Energy in Chemical Reactions
- Topics: Endothermic vs. exothermic reactions.
- Activities: Investigate temperature changes in simple reactions.
Week 3: Advanced Concepts in Chemistry
Day 9: Rates of Reaction
- Topics: Factors influencing reaction rates (temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts).
- Activities: Experiment with Alka-Seltzer tablets under different conditions to observe reaction rates.
Day 10: The Mole Concept
- Topics: Avogadro’s number, molar mass, conversions between moles and grams.
- Activities: Perform mole-to-mass calculations with provided examples.
Day 11: Solutions and Solubility
- Topics: Solvent, solute, concentration, and factors affecting solubility.
- Activities: Prepare solutions and measure solubility at different temperatures.
Day 12: Acids and Bases
- Topics: Properties, the pH scale, and neutralization reactions.
- Activities: Test pH of common household items and observe neutralization.
Week 4: Applications of Chemistry
Day 13: Gas Laws
- Topics: Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, and the Ideal Gas Law.
- Activities: Conduct an experiment with balloons to observe changes in volume and pressure.
Day 14: Thermodynamics
- Topics: Heat transfer, exothermic vs. endothermic processes.
- Activities: Investigate heat changes using a simple calorimetry setup.
Day 15: Organic Chemistry Basics
- Topics: Hydrocarbons, functional groups, and polymers.
- Activities: Build molecular models of organic compounds (e.g., methane and ethanol).
Day 16: Environmental Chemistry
- Topics: Greenhouse gases, pollution, and sustainability.
- Activities: Analyze data on CO₂ emissions and brainstorm solutions to reduce environmental impact.
Week 5: Review, Projects, and Assessment
Day 17: Chemistry in Industry
- Topics: Applications of chemistry in medicine, agriculture, and technology.
- Activities: Research and present examples of real-world chemical processes.
Day 18: Review and Reinforcement
- Topics: Recap major concepts (e.g., atomic structure, reactions, solutions).
- Activities: Work on review worksheets or interactive quizzes.
Day 19: Project Work
- Topics: Create a solution to a real-world problem using chemistry.
- Activities: Begin project presentations and peer feedback.
Day 20: Final Presentations and Assessment
- Activities: Present projects and complete a short cumulative test or interactive group quiz.
Materials calendar
- Peroxide
- Dish soap
- Yeast
- Coveralls
- Warm-hot water
- Water bottles or others.
- Print Kit 1: Chemistry card set
- Print: Kit 2 Materials: Branches of Chemistry Scavenger Hunt
- Print: Materials: Kit 3: Testable Questions Lab
- Print: Materials: Kit 4: Chemistry in Food
- Print: Materials: Kit 5: Scientific Method in Action
Kit 1
- Samples of :
- Water (small bottle or container)
- Wood (small block or piece)
- Plastic (sample piece, e.g., plastic spoon)
- Metal (small metal object, e.g., paperclip)
- Glass (small glass piece or container)
- Print: Worksheet: Everyday materials
- Measuring Tools:
- Thermometer (for temperature-related experiments)
- Magnifying glass (for examining the materials closely)
- Ruler (for measuring dimensions)
- Scale
- Graduated cylinders
- Clips/Scissors (for cutting or manipulating some materials, where applicable)
- Safety Equipment:
- Safety goggles
- Gloves (optional, for handling glass or metal)
Kit 2
- Ice Cubes (small bag or tray of ice)
- Water (small beaker or container of water)
- Small Pot or Kettle (for boiling water)
- Heat Source (small portable heater, electric kettle, or stovetop)
- Thermometer (to measure temperatures during the melting and boiling processes)
- Glass Container (for observing condensation from steam)
- Plastic or Metal Tray (for capturing steam)
- Safety Equipment:
- Safety goggles
- Heat-resistant gloves (for handling boiling water and heated surfaces)
- Worksheet:
- A table for recording observations during the experiment.
- Diagram sheet for illustrating transitions between solid, liquid, and gas.
- Bonus Material:
- Second Material: Glycerin or another substance that undergoes similar state transitions (optional for further experimentation).
Kit 3
- Objects for Testing:
- Coin
- Sponge
- Piece of Wood
- Oil (small bottle or container)
- Small Plastic Ball
- Piece of Metal
- Small rock or stone
- Measuring Tools:
- Balance Scale (or digital scale)
- Ruler (for measuring dimensions)
- Graduated Cylinder (for measuring volume of irregular objects)
- Water (to fill a container for the buoyancy test)
- Worksheet:
- Table to record predictions and measurements
- Space for calculating density
- Diagram for illustrating how density affects buoyancy
- Safety Equipment:
- Safety goggles
- Lab gloves (optional)
Kit 4
- Reaction Materials:
- Vinegar (50 mL)
- Baking soda (1 tablespoon)
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Plastic cup or small container
- Small balloon (optional, for capturing gas)
- Plastic funnel (optional, for easier pouring)
- Observation Tools:
- Timer or stopwatch
- Notebook and pen for recording observations
- Worksheet:
- Table for recording initial observations, changes in properties, and reactions during the experiment
- Space for drawing a diagram or writing about the reaction
- Bonus question prompts
- Safety Equipment:
- Safety goggles (recommended)
- Lab gloves (optional)
Kit 5
Baking soda (NaHCO₃) Salt (NaCl) Sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆) Cornstarch (C₆H₁₀O₅) Vinegar (Acetic acid, CH₃COOH) Lemon juice (Citric acid, C₆H₈O₇) Epsom salt (MgSO₄·7H₂O) Washing soda (Na₂CO₃·10H₂O) Baking powder Alum (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) Cream of tartar (Potassium bitartrate, KHC₄H₄O₆) Gelatin (C₆₆H₁₁NO₁₉) Activated charcoal Starch (from potato or corn) Sodium chloride solution (saltwater) Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) Magnesium ribbon Citric acid crystals Iron filings Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
- Testing Equipment:
- Water (for solubility test)
- Vinegar (for reaction with acid test)
- Balance (for measuring mass)
- Measuring cup
- Graduated cylinder
- Small plastic containers or beakers
- Stirring sticks
- Plastic spoons
- Funnel (optional, for pouring liquids)
- Observation Tools:
- Notebook and pen for recording observations
- Worksheet for recording properties and results
- Timer or stopwatch
- Safety Equipment:
- Safety goggles
- Lab gloves (optional)
- Foam balls, clay, pipe cleaners, and markers for atom models.
- Pre-made periodic table puzzles (printed or laminated).
- [ File:Blank-Periodic-Table.pdf ]
- Scrambled periodic table
- Guess the element
- Element clue cards for scavenger hunt.
- Worksheets for electron configurations and Lewis dot diagrams. [1] [2]
- Charts showing trends in atomic radius, reactivity, and electronegativity. [3]
Kit 3
- Element cards with atomic numbers (five cards per team)
- Blank templates for Bohr and Lewis dot diagrams
- Dry-erase markers
- Reference sheet on electron configuration rules (e.g., Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle)
- Presentation Cards: Prompts like:
- "What do the Bohr and Lewis diagrams reveal about bonding?"
- "How do electron configurations predict element behavior?"
- Timer/Checklist:
- 15 min: Write electron configurations.
- 20 min: Create Bohr and Lewis diagrams.
- 10 min: Predict bonding types.
- 5 min: Discuss bonus predictions.
- Reflection Sheet:
- "What did you find challenging about electron configurations?"
- "How do diagrams help visualize atomic structure?"