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Charge kernels of puffed rice cereal with static electricity to explore the structure and interactions
of matter.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; properties of matter; atomic structure; attractive forces (static electricity)
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Challenge students to layer five liquids of different densities in clear drinking straws and determine
the order of the solutions based on density.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; measurement; properties of matter (density); mixtures (solutions)
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Apply the process of distillation to produce fresh, drinkable water from a saltwater solution.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; physical changes (condensation, vaporization);
mixtures (solutions); separation processes (distillation)
....................................................................................
Place raisins in soda pop to observe the motion caused by the buildup of carbon dioxide bubbles on
the raisins surface.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter; mixtures (solutions);
attractive forces
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Use the process of chromatography to separate mixed dyes into the different colors that make up the dye.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; measurement; properties of matter; mixtures (solutions);
separation processes (chromatography)
....................................................................................
Combine vinegar and baking soda within a plastic bag to initiate a chemical reaction.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; properties of matter; chemical reactions; acids and bases; energy
....................................................................................
Use a trash can and a trash bag to explore the concept of pressure.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter; force (pressure)
..............................................................................
Place white carnations in colored water to make the flower petals change color.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter;
attractive forces (surface tension, adhesion, cohesion)
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Use salt to melt ice and demonstrate the effects of salt on the freezing point of water.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter; physical changes (freezing, melting);
elements and compounds; mixtures (solutions)
........................................................................
Test different methods to separate a mixture of salt and pepper.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; properties of matter; mixtures; separation processes;
elements and compounds; atomic structure

You Be The Chemist Activity Guide | page

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Flip a cup of water upside down to demonstrate the effects of attractive forces and air pressure.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter; force (pressure);
attractive forces (surface tension, adhesion, cohesion)
....................................................................................
Mix cornstarch and water to demonstrate the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; states of matter; properties of matter (viscosity); mixtures; force
................................................................................
Place a balloon over a Pyrex glass bottle or flask to observe the behavior of the balloon in response
to changes in temperature.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; measurement (temperature); states of matter;
properties of matter (gas laws); energy
............................................................................
Launch marshmallows from a plastic-spoon catapult to demonstrate the differences between potential
and kinetic energy and explore the law of conservation of energy.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; measurement; properties of matter; energy (potential, kinetic)
....................................................................................
Use colored permanent markers to create fun, tie-dye designs on T-shirts.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; mixtures (solutions); separation processes (absorption, chromatography)
..............................................................................
Mix hydrogen peroxide with liquid dish soap and active yeast to initiate an elephant-size chemical reaction.
Content topics: Scientific inquiry; elements and compounds; chemical reactions (decomposition); energy
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You Be The Chemist Activity Guide | page

The You Be The Chemist Activity Guide: Lesson Plans for Making Chemistry Fun for grades 58 offers 33 classroom
lessons that engage students in the exploration of chemistry through hands-on experiments. Experiment materials are
nontoxic, everyday household items, and no special lab equipment is necessary. However, appropriate safety gear
should be worn for each experiment.
Also included in the guide are suggested lesson modifications and extensions that offer students additional fun and
interactive ways to learn about chemistry.

Following each lesson is a corresponding activity sheet that students can complete as they perform the experiment.
These activity sheets help to reinforce the concepts covered in the lesson and assess student learning. An educators
answer key with sample answers is also provided as a reference, although data may vary and other answers may be
acceptable in certain cases.

This portion of the Activity Guide contains information about the Chemical Educational Foundation and its programs.
It also provides information to better assist educators, especially those with a limited chemistry background, as they present
the science of chemistry to students.
The sections of the Resource Guide include ...
Tips for Teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Safety First
Content Topics Index
Lesson Plan Vocabulary
Review Game Suggestions & Content
Sample Review Game Board
Notable Chemists

You Be The Chemist Activity Guide | page

Scientists use many skills as they investigate the world around them. They make observations by gathering information with
their senses. Some observations are simple. For example, a simple observation would be figuring out the color or texture of
an object. However, if scientists want to know more about a substance, they may need to take measurements.
Measurement is perhaps one of the most fundamental concepts in science. Without the ability to measure, it would be
difficult for scientists to conduct experiments or form theories. Not only is measurement important in science and the
chemical industry, it is also essential in farming, engineering, construction, manufacturing, commerce, and numerous
other occupations and activities.
The word measurement comes from the Greek word metron, which means limited proportion.
technique in which properties of an object are determined by comparing them to a standard.

is a

Measurements require tools and provide scientists with a quantity. A

describes how much of something there is or
how many there are. A good example of measurement is using a ruler to find the length of an object. The object is
whatever you are measuring, the property you are trying to determine is the objects length, and the standard you are
comparing the objects length to is the ruler.
In general, scientists use a system of measurement still commonly referred to as the metric system. The metric system
was developed in France in the 1790s and was the first standardized system of measurement. Before that time, people
used a variety of measurement systems.
In 1960, the metric system was revised, simplified, and renamed the Systme International dUnites (International
System of Units) or
(meters, kilograms, etc.). This system is the standard form of measurement in almost
every country around the world, except for the United States, which uses the U.S. customary units system (inches,
quarts, etc.). The SI system is, however, the standard system used by scientists worldwide, including those in the
United States.
There are several properties of matter that scientists need to measure, but the most common properties are length and mass.
is a measure of how long an object is, and
is a measure of how much matter is in an object. Mass and length
are classified as base units, meaning that they are independent of all other units. In the SI system, each unit of measure has
a base unit.

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