Apologia Bio and Chem: Labpaq

eBay has a Bio and Chem Labpaqs for sale—now at $40.  The chemicals includes are fine; these have dissection tools, a mortar and pestle, a molecular model kit, a reaction plate, anatomy slides, etc.  I look for used Labpaqs on Good Will to cannibalize all the time.  These kits have plastic lab equipment, too.  If you are trying to set up material for your high schooler consider this or similar kits.

I went back to check other Labpaq offerings on eBay.  This one and this set  are about $30 each.  Not bad deals.  The second set has a digital scale, a reaction plate, and thermometers which would cost more if ordered separately.  This set, at $35, has a simple microscope and digital scale with some basic lab equipment.  Look for eScience lab kits, too.  Note these were intended to be online college level lab courses.  I find the Biology and Chemistry kits to be the best values for equipment.  The Microbiology and Physics kits are usually not good deals.

Mad Science Camp: e-sewing

I was trolling for science ideas and ran across Sew Smart.  The idea is to sew electric circuits—here are detailed instructions and background information.  The Tinkering Lab (Exploratorium) has more instructions to sew plush toys which light.  We have had mixed luck at our house with circuits.  We tried Paper Circuits, Squishy Circuits, Makey Makey, and conductive ink pens.  If you want to do something poorly, go all in!  For the record, Makey Makey and Squishy Circuits are easy and work.  Snap Circuits are essential to introduce simple circuits.   

Here’s the deal.  My husband, Rob, is super smart; he understands math and physics intuitively.  But, for some reason, he is defeated by electricity.  (We both volunteer to do taxes with AARP.  Rob has trouble with ‘qualifying child’, too.). I taught Physical Science many times and can handle simple circuits.  I like the idea of sewing circuits.  If we decide to try we’ll go with this kit.  The activity requires magnetic snaps, conductive thread, sewable coin battery holders, and led light holders.  We might as well buy a kit.  I do know that manipulating circuits is the way to teach electricity.  I like Tops Science Electricity.  I provide the materials and the kids work through the core activities.

Apologia Chemistry: Calorimetry

Our Co-op class postponed Calorimetry and Thermodynamics until spring, just before we study Gas Laws.  eBay has a calorimetry set for $17.99. Look at the materials carefully.  The kit has styrofoam cups and three metals for Specific Heat labs. (Here are more detailed instructions.). When I do specific heat labs, I use density cubes, copper shot, iron nails, and lead fishing lures.  You can heat the beakers of water on an electric burner or stove top—flame isn’t necessary. It helps to have at least two thermometers, one for hot water and one for the calorimeter.

You may want to try a soda can calorimeter with dry food such as chips or crackers.  I like to do both types of calorimetry if time permits.  So the original calorimetry set on eBay is a good price; I generally just put styrofoam cups with lids into glass beakers with good results.  You may want to test paper cups with styrofoam cups.  Which has a higher percent error?

I am always tempted by scientific equipment.  I had calorimetry sets when I taught in private and public schools.  I do not believe they are worth the investment or I would buy that set!  Instead, I put my money into extra thermometers and glass beakers with more general applications.

Apologia: Organic Chemistry Modeling Kits

I love Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry.  I try to fit in an Organic unit in my chemistry classes.  I include a bit of biochemistry in Biology and Human Biology.  I have several kits.  Frequently  Good Will has molecular kits.  (This listing is for molecular geometry or VESPR.  Models like this one are often listed on Good Will, eBay, and Amazon.  Models are about $20 per set.). Most of these sets serve one student.  I use Lab-aids Molecules of Life in my biology classes to introduce macromolecules, such as carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, and proteins.  These kits are pricey at $125-$140.  I made the investment because I use the kits every year with Co-op classes.

This kit, at $6.99, is a good choice for one student.  Note that hydrogen atoms are usually white, not orange.  It helps the kid to build molecules as they learn how to write name organic molecules.  If you would like to make  your own kit, use clay and this guide.  Carbon atoms in modeling kits is usually black with four holes to make four bonds.  Each toothpick represents one pair of electrons.  Clay and toothpicks allow student to make single, double, or triple bonds.  Here  is a good introductory lesson with clay and toothpick models.  Carbon is usually black, oxygen blue, and hydrogen white.  Have fun!

Apologia Science: Ringstand

This ring stand has a clamp and ring for $13.10.  It is similar to this one on Amazon for $22.42.  Naturally, it ships from China.  But, if you aren’t in a hurry, it’s a good deal. A ring stand with a few clamps is useful for science classes.   My husband teaches Physics and uses it frequently for labs and demos—more often than I do for Chemistry.  I have two ring stands; the price for another is so good I might splurge and buy one.

Apologia Chemistry: Mole and Reaction Demos

Years ago, I had a demo which used steel and glass marbles to introduce empirical formulas.  I did not find that demo, but did find paper clip Chemistry. The Nuts and Bolts of Chemical Formulas, and M & M lab.  If we struggle with empirical formulas after Christmas, I’ll buy M&M candies and try that lab.

Apologia Chemistry: Coins and Percent Composition

Percent Composition with Coins lab helps kids understand three different aspects of an empirical formula.  The demo uses three quarters, three dimes, and three nickels.  Each coin is 1/3 of the total coins.  The kids can determine the percent each coin represents of the total money.  Lastly, the kids can determine the percent by mass of the coins of the total coins by weighing them.  After Christmas, I'm going to do this demo/activity with the kids to remind them about moles, percent composition, and mole ratios of elements in compounds.  I made up cups with the coins.  I think this activity will drive home empirical formulas.  We'll see. (The baby bottle has loose change.)

Apologia Chemistry: Moles and Percent Composition Calculations

Today we went over the calculations for the mole lab and percent composition lab we did Tuesday.
The kids converted grams of iron nails, table salt, baking soda, mossy zinc, aluminum foil, and copper shot into moles.  The calculation is to divide the mass of the item by its molar mass.  For example, calcium has a molar mass of 40 g/mol.  If the student measured 5g, she divides 5g/40g/mol, or 0.125 mol. (moles)  Here is the data chart.
Mole Lab
Item       Formula         Mass        Molar Mass        Moles

The percent composition lab requires the kids to determine the molar mass of each hydrate and  the percent of water in the hydrate.  Next the student determines the amount of water removed from heating.  Finally, the teens calculate the percent error.  Here is the data chart.
Percent Composition Lab
Chemical      Formula     Molar Mass      Mass Before     Mass After     Percent Water   Percent error

Below is my attempt to take photos of all of the steps to teach this process.  The teens must write the formulas correctly, calculate the molar mass, determine the percent of water and finally compare the experimental results with the theoretical results.  Yes, this took all of the class period.

Apologia Chemistry: Micro Lab and MEL

Good Will  has a Microchemistry Set .  It looks like new.  Check the shipping first!  There are Mel Chemistry kits available, too.  MEL Chemistry kits are subscription kits which retail for $35 each.  MEL kits on eBay are $15-20 each.

Apologia Chemistry: Moles and Percent Composition

I started class by defining a mole.  The analogy I used was train cars.  A train car of marshmallows has the same volume as a train car of nails or bricks. Another analogy for moles is a dozen.  I explain that two train cars may have the same number of nails marshmallows in each.  The two train cars have the same volume and the same number: however, their masses are different.  That is the concept of a mole.  I explained that Fe, iron has an atomic weight of 55.8.  One mole of iron has 55.8 grams.  I held up a box of nails and asked if there might be one mole of iron in the box.  There may be depending on the number of nails in the box.  I have 30 g samples of cupric chloride bottles.  There is not a mole in the bottle.  This is my basic introductions.  On Thursday, we will use their masses (5-10 g) and calculate the number of moles.


Today and Thursday we are doing labs.  First, the kids weighed moles: iron nails, copper shot, aluminum foil, mossy zinc, baking soda, and salt.  They created simple data tables: name, formula, mass, and molar mass.  It helps students to understand what a mole is when they weigh moles.  We are doing the calculations on Thursday.  I plan to both calculate the theoretical and expermental  percent of water in each of the four hydrates.

Next, the kids collected the data for Percent Composition Quick Lab.  The hydrates we used are copper II chloride dihydrate, copper II sulfate, iron III chloride hexahydrate, and zinc sulfate monohydrate.  It’s important to weigh the test tube before heating.  Sometimes the chemical cannot be removed after it’s heated.  We used sterno instead of tea candles to heat the hydrates.  Last week we heated copper II sulfate pentahydrate hydrate to demonstrate decomposition chemical reactions with tea candles I successfully.  Sterno worked well; it’s much more stable than an alcohol burner.  Remind the kids that hot glass looks the same as cold glass.   Remind the kids to angle the test tube away from people as they gently heat the hydrates.   Allow the test tube to cool in the test tube rack.  The hot test tube can melt the plastic digital scale.  Remind the kids to use weigh paper or a weigh boat: chemicals should not be weighed directly on a scale.  Remember the kids are teens; these instruction may not be obvious to kids.

Hydrates  have water loosely bound ionic compounds.  Hydrates can act as dessicants.  The salt, say copper II chloride is anhydrous.  The hydrate in this example is copper II chloride dihydrate.  The anhydrous salt can absorb water from its surroundings.

The kids are learning about percent composition of formulas by heating and removing water from several hydrates.    We do the math together. BTW, the topic of hydrates are not included in Apologia Chemistry textbooks.  I think hydrates are useful to understand percent composition.

Apologia Chemistry: Luminescence

I was planning events for Mad Science Camp with objects which fluoresce.  I’ve never down a chemistry lab with chemiluminescence, thermochromic pigments, or photochromic pigments.  I have UV or solar-active beads.  I would like to make slime polymers and add pigments to test.  It would be fun to test glow sticks to introduce reaction rates. I could bring in substances which fluoresce under a UV flashlight, such as tonic water.  These activities coincide with Light Energy.  When I teach electron configurations, I review the electromagnetic spectrum and a brief history of the development of Quantum Theory.  Chemiluminescence dovetails well.

A student added photochromic pigment to sunscreen.  The sunscreen changes color when it’s time to reapply.  Look at this ChemMatters article about sun glasses.  Here is an article explaining thermochromic paper or heat-sensitive paper.  I need to read this article about special-effect pigments carefully before I organize the lab.

Mad Science: Day Ten

What about glow in the dark?  I had out my UV flashlight to see if any of the rocks in my set fluoresce.  My friend said she had hosted a glow in the dark party.  What a great idea!  She made glow in the dark jello with tonic water.  Lots of things glow under a UV light: detergents, stains on shirts, toothpaste with whitener, $20 bills, banana spots, Vaseline, white copy paper, and certain plastics.  Here is a list of fun ideas.
1. Check the objects listed with UV flashlight.
2. UV beads and sunscreen tests
3. Hand washing and UV germs (Glo Germ Kit)
4. Add Glow in the dark pigment to slime or paint.
5. Cool Blue Light experiment
6. Fluorescent Magic Sand
7. Instant Light Powder
8. Light sticks lab
9. Crunch up Wintergreen Lifesavers.  See if it work with hammers.
10.  Glow in the dark galaxy jar
11. Glow in the dark Constellation Cards
12.  Glow in the dark tattoos and UV Inkies
13. Solar Active Toys
14. Use sun activated and thermochromic pigments to make paint, add to slime, or sand.  Try thermochromic tape.

These are quick activities.  Have extra materials the kids can paint, such as plastic bracelets or Dollar Tree toys to extend these activities.  Buy a few commercial products to use as comparison.  The kids are going to love these!

Mad Science: Day Nine

I had another idea for Mad Science Summer Camp.  For years, I led science camp after VBS at our church.  Many of the same kids came every year; it meant imagining new, fun ideas.  I was browsing alcohol ink crafts for children.  There is quite a bit of art in science.  In fact the American Chemical Society (ACS) has ideas.


1. Colorful Lather Printing Use index cards, newsprint, water color paper, etc.  Try food coloring, dry paint pigment, Koolaid, etc.  Nail polish on water is a similar process to use with rocks.
2. Radial Chromatography  Sharpies and t-shirts
3. Chemistry and Art: marker butterflies, rainbow trout, crystal stars, stained glass glue, and sculpture dough.  The article explains the chemistry.
4.  Slime Art. We plan to make slime; here’s an extension activity.  It would be fun to test several slime recipes with different pigments to compare which method and pigment makes the most interesting sculpture.
5. Made 3D glasses. Compare to commercial 3D glasses
6. Crayola 3D chalk.  Make 3D art outside.  Color theory is in action here.
7. Make sidewalk chalk.  Experiment with color combinations.  Compare homemade chalk with commercial chalk.  Plaster of Paris makes softer chalk.  I mix the Chalk in plastic cups—not toilet paper rolls.
8.  DIY Alcohol Inks. We can test sharpies and Koolaid with ethyl alcohol and different concentrations of isopropyl alcohol.  Test metal washers and rocks with the ink.

Apologia Chemistry: Empirical Formulas lab

Before I do the Can You Make 2 Grams Lab, I plan to to the Chemical Formulas lab to reinforce empirical formulas, writing formulas, solubility, and precipitates.  Here is the student worksheet for the lab.  Here is the same lab—but described as Stoichiometry and Solubility.  Here is a data chart for the lab with more questions.

This lab addresses several topics: reaction prediction, mole ratios, solubility, and precipitates.  Allow one class for the lab and another to walk the kids through all of the questions regarding their results.  The idea is for the kids to compare different ratios of drops of two reactants or reagents with the amounts of precipitates which form.  Here is how I teach this lab.

1. The reaction between ferric nitrate (iron III nitrate) and sodium hydroxide produces sodium nitrate and iron III hydroxide.
2.  Have the kids write the formulas and balance the equation.
3.  Use the Solubility Rules to determine which product is the insoluble precipitate.
4.  The reaction between cupric chloride (copper II chloride) and sodium phosphate produces sodium chloride and copper II phosphate.
5.  Have the kids write and balance this equation.
6. Use the Solubility Rules to determine the insoluble precipitate for this reaction.
7.  Now explain how to set up the test tubes and dispense the correct number of drops.
8.  After the solutions have rested for ten minutes, use rulers and measure the ratio of solid to solution in each test tube in mm.
9. Use the equations and solution: precipitate ratios to determine the chemical formula.
*****10.  Gravimetric Analysis could be performed, too.  We are NOT!!!  We are looking at ratios.  Period.

Apologia Chemistry: Solubility and Precipitates

After Christmas, the class is going to tackle Stoichiometry.  I’m doing the Solubility Rules lab  (Solubility Rules and Ion Formulas Charts) before the Stoichiometry and Solubility Lab or Can You Make 2 Grams? 

1. What is a precipitate?
2. What is solubility?
3.  Review double replacement, double displacement, meta thesis reactions.
4.  Explain solubility rules.
5. Instruct with examples.
6. Discuss the lab expectations.
7.  Remind the kids that the purpose is to understand solubility and precipitates.

Human Biology: Organic Nomenclature

Anna and I have been doing Biomolecules.  There have many organic nomenclature symbols.  So, next week, we’ll review organic nomenclature key, more nomenclature, key, even more nomenclature, Biochem functional groups, Biochemistry Basics and key.  

Apologia Chemistry: Moles Modules 5 and 6

Next week, the kids are doing several labs to help understand moles and related concepts in Modules 5 and 6.  First up is Percent Composition Minilab with hydrates: copper II sulfate pentahydrate hydrate, copper II chloride dihydrate, and zinc sulfate monohydrate.  Weigh the test tube.  Sometimes the hydrate won’t come out of the test tube.

Next is Mole lab.  The kids weigh moles to determine both the number of moles and derive the number of atoms.  The kids will weigh one mole of the hydrates, copper shot, baking soda, table salt,  mossy zinc, and aluminum foil.

I plan to use coins to teach empirical formulas.  We’ll do the Beanium lab for isotopes and atomic mass and POGIL’s Nuclear Atom (key).  We will do Experiment 5.1, Measuring the Width of a Molecule in Module 5, Apologia Chemistry and Drawing a Scale Model of the Atom.

The idea is to reinforce atoms make up elements, compounds, and molecules, which are calculated with molar mass.  Once they ideas are as clear as mud, we’ll tackle Stoichiometry.  It pays to do each lab and take time to explain the concepts over and over.

Apologia Chemistry: Types of Reactions

Today, I did some house-keeping and finished the Types of Chemical Reactions.  The kids are making Atomic Theory timelines and  moles over the Christmas break.  I went over these assignments.  I took time to show them where the Atomic Theory was in the textbook.  In fact, I went over all of the topics and correlations in the textbook.  We reviewed all of the chemical reactions, wrote their formulas, and balanced the equations.  Whew!

(Sorry this is so grainy.  The printer won't scan!)

Human Biology:Biomolecules

Anna and I built the biomolecules last week for this POGIL (key) activity.  Today, we are working through the POGIL packet.  We build the molecules.  For example, Anna took the glucose and fructose molecules and combined the two into sucrose and alanine and cysteine to form a dipeptide.  POGIL uses charts or models to answer the questions.  It helps to build and manipulate the molecules themselves to understand the process.  Sucrose and dipeptides form with the removal of one water molecule.  This is dehydration synthesis.  As we work, I point out hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups,, amines, etc.  Biochemistry is a tough subject.  POGIL allows for a gentler introduction.  Use molecule model kits!

Apologia Chemistry: Reactions Lab Report

Update: Andrew provides another sample report.

The materials that one needs to gather for this lab are seven test tubes, one test tube rack, one small beaker, one test tube holder, one piece of sandpaper, one Bunsen burner flame, three wooden splints, one iron nail, one small piece of copper, one piece of magnesium, three pieces of calcium metal, one solution of Ammonium carbonate, one solution of Barium nitrate, one solution of Silver nitrate, one solution of hydrochloric acid, one solution of Hydrogen peroxide, one solution of Copper II chloride, one piece of solid Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate, one piece of solid MnO2, 40 mL of distilled water, and a bottle of PHTH, and baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).

I had Lacie, one of my students rewrite the lab instructions for the Chemical Reactions lab using the third person, present tense, active voice, indicative mood.  Just below is her report.  It took about 45 minutes with minor corrections.  Before she began, I gave her prompts: one places, the student adds, she mixes, he heats, etc.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Purpose:  To perform chemical reactions which represent five general types

1.      For the first experiment the student cleans an iron nail with sandpaper until the nail is shiny. The student puts the clean nail into a test tube and cover the nail with Copper II Chloride solution. The solution remains there for the rest of the period.

2.      Secondly the student cleans a small piece of copper metal with sandpaper. The student places the copper metal into a small test tube and the student puts one squirt of the Silver nitrate solution. The solution remains for the rest of the period.  

3.      For the third experiment the student pours ten ml of Hydrogen Peroxide solution into a test tube. The student adds a solid sample about the size of a pea of MnO₂ to the Peroxide; one stirs and observes. (Do not touch the black powder) The student tests the gas produced with a glowing wooden splint. MnO₂ is a catalyst.

4.      For the fourth experiment the student puts a small scoop of solid sodium bicarbonate into a dry test tube. The student uses a test tube holder to gently heat the test tube with a tea candle. The student points the mouth of the test tube AWAY from themselves and others. The student moves the test tube in and out of the flame. Next the student puts a burning splint inside of the opening of the test tube after about 30 seconds of heating. (One does not place hot test tube in the plastic test tube wrack)

5.      The fifth experiment the student gets a beaker and adds 40 ml of water and then adds two or three drops of PHTH. One drops two or three small pieces of calcium metal. (One does not touch calcium with their fingers.) A combustible gas will be produced, but one does not test it. PHTH is an indicator.

6.      For the sixth experiment the student adds one piece (about two cm to one in) of Magnesium metal into a dry test tube. Next one adds a couple squirts of Hydrochloric acid solution. Finally, the student tests gas with a burning splint.

7.      For the seventh experiment the student adds one piece of Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate solid to a dry clean test tube. Then the student gently heats the test tube (just like in the fourth experiment- One does not test for gas, but the student observes the inside top of the test tube.)  

8.      For the final experiment the student adds one squirt of Ammonium Carbonate solution and 1 squirt of barium nitrate solution in a test tube.  

Here is the lab report rubric.
Lab Report Rubric


1. ________ (10 points) Title of lab report

2. ________ (10 points) Background information (Use the third person, present tense, and active voice.)

3. ________ (10 points) Materials listed in paragraph format.

4. ________ (10 points) Procedures described in paragraph format. Use the third person, past tense, and active voice.

5. ________ (10 points) Data Table

6. ________ (10 points) Results. Use paragraph format and state what happened. Include the percent error.

7. ________ (10 points) Conclusion. What happened? Discuss the percent error and possible sources of error.

8. ________ (10 points) Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. ________ (10 points) Use of third person, present tense, and active voice.

10. ________ (10 points) Cite all sources of information including the textbook and the lab packet.

Apologia Chemistry: Moles

Modules 5 and 6 include moles and Stoichiometry.  Over the Christmas break, the kids have a timeline to do.  I’m assigning a moles, too.  I collect fur fur, felt, and fabric pieces all year for this project.  I lend glue guns out, too.  We will celebrate Mole Day and judge their mole creations as we study moles.  We have classes next week.  I’m going to assign the timeline and mole project tomorrow.  The kids may want to work ahead instead of having these assignments loom over their heads during the Christmas Break.

Apologia Chemistry: Atomic Theory Timeline Module 3

Over the Christmas break, the kids are going to work through the development of the Atomic Theory (Module 3) and create a timeline of scientists.  First, the student must complete a worksheet.  I’m providing a list of key scientists with their birth and death dates.  The students must research each scientist’s contribution to the development of the atomic theory and the approximate date of the event.  Hantaro Nagaoka and Satyendra Nath Bose are Japanese and Indian physicists who may be unfamiliar but made significant contributions to atomic and quantum theory.  I want the kids to make a list with each person’s contribution to accompany the timeline.  I’ll post examples after Christmas.

Lacie finished her timeline early.  Take a look.

Apologia Biology: Microscope Slides

Good Will  often has microscope slides.  Right now, there are two sets available, one a set of 50 general biology slides similar to this set.  Be sure to check the shipping!  Goodwill online is comprised of stores across the county; consequently the shipping and handling fees vary.  Some sites inflate the weight of the package or assess stiff handling fees.

The microscope slides are especially useful for Co-op classes.  Last year, there were 19 in my Biology co-op class.  We needed loads of slides and microscopes for the kids.  Good Will sells microscopes frequently, too.  I use digital microscopes with laptops.  The kids focus the microscope on the slide, take a screen shot, and then sketch the image.  This method works at low magnifications.    The kids do not spend much time doing extended observations at different magnifications.  They could—they just don’t.

I have a nice collection of slides.  However, I’m always in the market for good anatomy, histology, or microorganism slides.  These specialized microscope slides are much more expensive.  Yes, I have to take a step and back away from the microscopes—especially digital Celestron microscopes.  Yes, Good Will has these occasionally.  Yes, I realize I’m increasing the competition for goods at Good Will.  Every home-school family I know operates on a tight budget.  Aside from a few bargains on Amazon or eBay, Good Will offers the most bargains.

Apologia Chem: Types of Reactions

Update: I’m home-schooling Lacie, one of the kids in the Co-op.  So, I had her rewrite the procedures today to gauge the length of the assignment and level of difficulty.  Tomorrow, most of the kids will be rewriting the procedures.  If any of the kids can convert the instructions into third person, etc., immediately, he or she may write the materials section instead.


Update:  I want the kids to learn how to write a lab report; however, I don’t want them to hate lab.  One of my colleagues had a good method.  He assigned one piece of the lab report.  I’m going to do that for this lab.  The kids love all of the reactions.  I hat to spoil the fun.  Instead, I’ll assign the materials or procedures sections.  The kids will write using the third person, present tense, active voice, and indicative mood—but just one paragraph of materials or procedures.  Some of my kids struggle with writing.  If writing is hard, the child can rewrite the lab instructions and convert them into the third person.  I’ll ask the kids for samples to post.

The kids did the Types of Chemical Reactions lab.  Last Thursday, the kids learned how to identify five types of reactions.  Today, they reacted and observed several types of reactions.  Fun!  I do not tell the kids which reaction is which: single, double replacement, synthesis, decomposition, and combustion.

This lab requires a great deal of instruction.  As the kids gently heat the test tube, they should move the Pyrex or borosilicate test tube in and out of the flame.  A tea candle is sufficient to heat sodium bicarbonate and copper II sulfate crystals.  I demonstrate heating a test tube and pointing the mouth of the test tube away from oneself or others.  The wooden test splints are wooden stir sticks.    Heating sodium bicarbonate produces carbon dioxide, which extinguishes a burning splint.  MnO2 and 3 % hydrogen peroxide produce oxygen gas and is tested with a GLOWING splint.  The oxygen gas ignites with a glowing splint.  HCl (1M) and magnesium ribbon produce hydrogen gas and a squeaky pop.  Remind the kids to record detailed observations.  We did not use 2 grams of magnesium ribbon; instead we used 2-3 cm of ribbon.

Thursday, we’ll predict the products and write balanced reactions for each.  This is a good lab to use to practice writing a formal lab report.  (See below.)

Lab Report Rubric


1. ________ (10 points) Title of lab report

2. ________ (10 points) Background information (Use the third person, present tense, and active voice.)

3. ________ (10 points) Materials listed in paragraph format.

4. ________ (10 points) Procedures described in paragraph format. Use the third person, past tense, and active voice.

5. ________ (10 points) Data Table

6. ________ (10 points) Results. Use paragraph format and state what happened. Include the percent error.

7. ________ (10 points) Conclusion. What happened? Discuss the percent error and possible sources of error.

8. ________ (10 points) Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. ________ (10 points) Use of third person, present tense, and active voice.

10. ________ (10 points) Cite all sources of information including the textbook and the lab packet.

Apologia Science: Pasco Spark

eBay has a Spark Learning System for $48.  The Spark includes voltage and temperature sensors.  I would buy a stainless steel temperature probe, too. (Under $15), a pH sensor ($25), and a motion sensor ($35).  Pasco’s Spark is an interface; the sensors or probes connect to the device to collect data.  Pasco has newer software interfaces: Sparklink Air, Airlink, Spark LX, and LXi.  The Sparklink and Airlink connect by Bluetooth to an iPad, iPhone, Chromebook, or Android device with an app. 

The Spark Learning System is an older device.  It has data collection lab programs already downloaded.  Pasco offers free labs.  I love these labs.  Each one is a complete lesson.  Click on the lab previews.  Students read the instructions, connect the appropriate probe to the Spark interface and collect data. There are labs available for all grades.  I do have the Sparklink and Airlink to use with my iPad.  I’d rather use the Spark around chemicals.  The Spark systems are rugged.  Our science department shared one set for years and used them for large groups of students without any incidents.

If you want a datalogger, the Pasco GLX is another good choice.  It connects to the same Pasport probes and reports data.  It does not have stand alone lessons.   The user guide has a few labs.  Position Match uses the GLX and a motion sensor.  Here is a temperature lab.  You can plug a pH or temperature probe into the GLX datalogger and collect readings for any lab, too.  I use probeware frequently to expose my kids to technology they may use in college.  The college will have more sophisticated instruments. The principles of data collection are the same.

Graphing Calculators on Amazon

Amazon offers used TI 84 for $42.95.  There are other TI 84 calculators for a bit less.  However, one has a pressure spot on the screen.  Usually pressure spots mean the calculator is about to die.  There are used TI 83 calculators for $19.85.  These are the prices I pay when I bid on calculators from Good Will.  If you experience a problem you should be able to get a refund or credit through Amazon.  I have had excellent service from Amazon.  One time, I had a terrible time resolving an Amazon gift card I sent my mom.  After several calls, the problem remained.  I went to my account and began reviewing ten or twelve recent purchases.  In each review, I wrote an honest assessment of each product.  I added a note that the item was fine—unlike the Amazon gift card situation which remained unresolved.  A miracle!  Amazon resolved the order.  Happily, Amazon backs merchandise.

Human Biology: Biomolecules

Anna and I are reviewing biomolecules before we revisit cellular or molecular biology.  We worked through Molecules of Life with the Labaid kit last year in Biology.  Now, we are working on Biological Molecules (POGIL).  Today, we spent two hours making the initial molecules.  Here are pix.  Yes, it took two hours.  The nucleic acid was a pain.  Take the time to build the molecules; the process helps the child to understand how the molecules form.