Chemistry Everywhere (Grades K-12)

Chemistry out of this world and in this world! The top picture shows insulin crystals grown in experiments done on the space shuttle. The crystals are larger and more ordered than insulin crystals grown on Earth. Their large size makes it easier for researchers to learn about insulin. After studying the "space" crystals, researchers at the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute in Buffalo, New York, were able to make diagrams of the insulin molecules, shown in the bottom picture. Their work will help lead to better medicines for people who have diabetes. [Courtesy of NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Microgravity Research Program]

This is National Chemistry Week. Sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS), National Chemistry Week is designated as a time to remember and honor the people who have advanced our understanding of chemistry and to recognize the products in our lives that have resulted from their work. Whether it's the gasoline we use in our cars, the fabric of our clothing, or the fertilizer used to grow our foods, chemistry is an integral part of almost everything we have or do.

Connections

Most students have some idea of the practicality of chemistry, but often their thinking is limited to the "headliner" products (e.g., medicines, insecticides, and aerosols). Ask your students to identify as many chemical products as possible that they encounter in one day. What are these used for? How are they produced? How would their lives be different without these products? Which products could they "live without" or absolutely not want to give up? Why?

Chemical research contributes to the development of products that help feed the world's population, control disease, provide materials that can be used to construct homes and build communication systems, and more. You might ask students to research the origins of some of the familiar building materials, medicines, cosmetics, or other widely used chemistry-related products of today and look up the history of the people (or companies) who have been responsible for their development. Have students find out what electrochemistry is, or biochemistry, or polymer chemistry. What other divisions of chemistry can they identify and describe? Why are these divisions important? Have students contact the ACS to find out what chemists do.

Web Resources

1. Chemicool Periodic Table
   
   http://www-tech.mit.edu/Chemicool/
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#014122) By clicking on any element in the periodic table or by entering the name or symbol of an element, a student can find extensive information about the element. Information offered for each element includes name; symbol; periodic group; density; atomic weight, number, and volume; melting and boiling points; and more.
   
   
2. Polymers and Liquid Crystals
   
   http://plc.cwru.edu
   This site offers teachers and students who already have a basic understanding of chemistry a look at chemical polymers. How many of us know about polymer and crystal use, from soap ingredients to oil extraction from wells, from the drug hydrocortisone to electro-optical applications? You'll find out here.
   
   
3. Water on the Web
   
   http://wow.nrri.umn.edu/wow/index.html
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#016975) There is perhaps no other topic more important for us to understand than water. By going to this site and selecting the Understanding Lake Ecology topic, you and your students can learn about the interconnectedness of the biological, physical, and chemical aspects of a lake.
   
   
4. ACS Chemistry.Org: Educators & Students
   
   http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/educatorsandstudents.html
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#018940) This site from the scientists of the American Chemical Society provides direct links to chemistry textbook content information, tutorials, and supplementary materials. Also included are other educational resources, ACS programs and services, chemistry in the news, and careers in chemistry.
   
   
5. General Chemistry Online!
   
   http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/index.shtml
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#018958) On this site, you have access to a library of more than 800 common compounds. In addition, you will find feature articles, tutorials, a database of more than 400 links to general chemistry web references, a glossary of more than 1,000-plus chemical terms (with audio pronunciations!), and more.
   
   

Ready-to-Go Activities

1. Chemistry Lesson Plans
   
   http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classchem.html
   Part of Science Spot, this site offers chemistry laboratory activities that include the Cookie Mystery, Adopt an Element, Amazing Marshmallows, and Bursting Balloons. It also suggests interesting links for teachers to peruse.
   
   
2. OFCN's Academy Curricular Exchange, Science, Elementary School ( K-5)
   
   http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/sci/elem.html
   The Organization for Community Networks (OFCN) has posted 130 science activities for K-5 classrooms. There are many to choose from that help students learn about the basics of chemistry.
   
   
3. Science Is Fun in the Lab of Shakhashiri
   
   http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/scifun.html
   This site features the work of Bassam Shakhashiri, professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. It has a section called "Chemical of the Week," and another that presents a dozen or so experiments to do at home. The experiments are suitable for the classroom as well.
   
   
4. Newton's Apple
   
   http://www.tpt.org/newtons/index.html
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC# 008489) Based on the PBS television show, this web site includes activity guides to use in the classroom. Also on the site and ready to use and to enjoy with your students are some activities called Try Its--simple experiments with open-ended questions for student groups.
   
   
5. The pH Factor
   
   http://www.miamisci.org/ph/
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC# 002004) This fun site offers students an opportunity to experience a virtual chemistry lab and learn about the pH scale. The experimental plan is based on the Seven Ex's of teaching and learning (Excite, Explore, Explain, Expand, Extend, Exchange, and Examine). A teacher's guide is included.
   
   
6. Chemistry Experiments You Can Do at Home
   
   http://people.bxscience.edu/~chinyu/2690/exper/exper.htm
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC# 019105) These experiments are simple and fun, covering such topics as gases, reactions with oxygen, and solutions. They are suitable to do at home (needless to say, with adult supervision) or at school.
   
   

Classroom Resources from the ENC Collection

1. The atom that makes the difference: a scattering of ashes
   Featured in ENC Focus  
   Date: 1991 Grade(s): 10 - 12 Cost: $149.00 - $795.00 ENC#: 016389
   This video from The Periodic Table and the Human Element series emphasizes the important role of carbon in the processes and materials of living organisms, and the necessary interdisciplinary approach to studying this element in the real world. Nitrogen, arsenic, and other important elements are also highlighted in the series.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
2. Electrochemistry
   Date: 1999 Grade(s): 7 - 12 Cost: $89.00 ENC#: 016876
   This videotape introduces students to the idea that molecules of a substance can be separated into individual elements by passing an electric current through the substance. The video explains how this process (electrolysis) is used in industry to produce certain chemical products.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
3. Science wonders
   Featured in ENC Focus  
   Date: 1995 Grade(s): 1 - 3 Cost: $23.50 ENC#: 011776
   This book introduces girls to science as a process of discovery. The information, activities, and connections to everyday experiences allow young girls to develop an interest in and confidence with a wide area of science and discovery learning.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
4. Matter
   Date: 1999 Grade(s): 5 - 8 Cost: $22.79 ENC#: 014996
   This short but information-packed book introduces young students to the concepts of atoms and molecules, elements and compounds, states of matter, expansion and contraction, metals and nonmetals, and more about the basics of chemistry.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
5. Solutions
   Date: 1990 Grade(s): 7 - 12 Cost: $13.00 ENC#: 015232
   This book presents the classroom teacher and student with meaningful and safe learning activities (28 in all) using basic, easy-to-find, and inexpensive materials.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   

Teacher Resources from the ENC Collection

1. Science with reason
   Featured in ENC Focus  
   Date: 1996 Grade(s): Pre-K - 6 Cost: $19.50 ENC#: 007701
   This book is designed for teachers who want to introduce the concept of learning "science with reason" to very young students. In the science-with-reason concept, children learn by participating in activities, investigating objects or situations, and discussing where, when, and why things happen as they do.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
2. Science is fun. Primary.
   Date: 1999 Grade(s): K - 3 Cost: $24.95 ENC#: 016015
   The activities in this book can be adapted to any science learning program for young children. Equipment is readily available at local stores, and the setup and cleanup times are minimal. Some of the chemistry activities are Identifying Matter by Sound and Feel, From Solid to Liquid, Dance of the Molecules, What Will Rust, and Oxidation.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
3. Prentice Hall science. Integrated science activity book, Book 2.
   Date: 1997 Grade(s): 6 - 9 Cost: $20.97 ENC#: 015440
   This science activity book includes 200 or so activities that can be used or adapted as hands-on classroom experiences for students. The variety of topics emphasizes the interconnections among the sciences and includes oceans, atmosphere, human systems, rocks and minerals, climate, and stars. Integrated chemistry activities explore properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, the periodic table, chemical reactions, and families of compounds.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
4. Designing and conducting investigations in matter and energy: a sixth grade unit/kit
   Date: 1995 Grade: 6 Cost: $100.00 ENC#: 016289
   This teacher's kit tells you how students can design and implement their own science experiences related to matter and energy. In addition to the teacher's guide and student journals, the kit includes pre-activity informational pages, field trip ideas, safety directions, and suggestions for cooperative learning.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
5. Mixtures: together but separate
   Date: 1997 Grade(s): 9 - 12 Cost: $49.95 ENC#: 015838
   This CD-ROM series leads students through a number of video segments and exercises that are appropriate for today's world and exciting for the learner. Also included is a teacher management feature that enables you to edit the quizzes, tests, and bulletin board. The rest of the series includes "Reactions" (ENC# 015839), "The Periodic Table" (ENC# 015840), "Atomic Structures" (ENC# 015841), "Compounds" (ENC# 015842), and "Matter" (ENC# 015843).
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   

Search Strategies

Find more materials by searching Curriculum Resources on ENC Online using these terms: Acid rain, Acids, Atomic theory, Biochemistry, Boiling points, Catalysts, Chemical equations, Chemical properties, Chemistry, Combustion, Concentration, Conservation of energy, Conservation of mass, Covalent bonds, Crystals, Drugs, Electrons, Elements, Endothermic, Equilibrium, Forensics, Freezing point, Gas laws, Ionic bonds, Ions, Isotopes, Kinetic theory, Liquids, Melting point, Metals, Mixtures, Molecules, Moles, Oxidation, Periodic table, pH, Phases of matter, Polymers, Reduction, Solutions, or Transition metals.

Connections to Standards

Realizing that there are many ways to use this Classroom Calendar entry, we chose these standards because they relate to the entry, in full or in part. If you want to explore the standards further, please use the link(s) provided.

Connections to NSES
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do inquiry (K-4)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do inquiry (5-8)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do inquiry (9-12)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Understanding about inquiry (K-4)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Understanding about inquiry (5-8)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Understanding about inquiry (9-12)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Properties of objects and materials (K-4)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Properties and changes of properties in matter (5-8)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Transfer of energy (5-8)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Structure of atoms (9-12)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Structure and properties of matter (9-12)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Chemical reactions (9-12)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Conservation of energy and increase in disorder (9-12)
Content Standard B: Physical Science: Interactions of energy and matter (9-12)
Content Standard E: Science and Technology: Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans (K-4)
Content Standard E: Science and Technology: Understanding about science and technology (K-4)
Content Standard E: Science and Technology: Understanding about science and technology (5-8)
Content Standard E: Science and Technology: Understanding about science and technology (9-12)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Personal health (K-4)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Types of resources (K-4)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Changes in environments (K-4)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Science and technology in local challenges (K-4)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Personal health (5-8)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Risks and benefits (5-8)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Environmental quality (9-12)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Natural and human-induced hazards (9-12)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges (9-12)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Science as a human endeavor (K-4)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Science as a human endeavor (5-8)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Science as a human endeavor (9-12)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Historical perspectives (9-12)