Hand Warmer Lab!

You already know I’m committed to labs—especially inquiry-based labs.  I want to pair more articles with labs.  One idea is hand warmers.   Here is an article about the chemical contents of a hand warmer.  This lab is geared toward upper elementary aged kids.  Here is an easy lab more suitable to Chemistry.  I’m thinking about modifying this lab; note, the lab is intended for AP Chemistry, which is hard.  We won’t use ammonium nitrate at all.  Here are instructions to make sodium acetate from baking soda and vinegar.  You may be familiar with sodium acetate from a Hot Ice lab.  I like the idea of issuing a Hand Warmer Design Challenge.  My plan is to have all of the materials available for kids who complete the series of Heat labs early.  Every class has one group of kids who follow directions and finish labs expeditiously.  This group is miles ahead of the others.  I want to challenge these kids without punishing them for working well in class.  With a challenge, I can send home materials for kids who are behind to complete on their own, as homework.  It’s always tricky to get more work out of the kids without overwhelming them.  I’ll keep you posted.