Chemistry Christmas Ornaments and Labs

 It’s almost December!  Let the Christmas labs begin!  Make Borax Crystals with pipe cleaners.  Glitter pipe cleaners do not work as well as plain pipe cleaners.  Silver Holiday Ornaments is both tricky and pricey.  If you have your heart set on silvering glass ornaments, HST sells the chemicals needed for the lab.  Cheaper choices include Milk Plastic Ornaments, Stained Glass Glue Ornaments, Christmas Bulb Chromatography Ornaments, and Paper Atom Snowflakes.  The Poinsettia pH Indicator lab extracts the anthocyanin pigments to use as an indicator.  I plan to do Benzoic Acid Blizzard in a Bottle in December.  You can use the benzoic acid to make Snow globes.  Just hot glue a small object to the lid of a baby food jar.  One more quick idea from the HomeSchool Scientist, Fake Snow Experiments.  You’re welcome!

Chemistry of Popcorn!

 Three of my teens in the Chemistry Co-op class are miles ahead of their peers.  These three are going to do a couple labs and make instructional videos.  One of the labs we’re going to vet is the Gas Law Popcorn lab.  Here is another version.  I’m going to let the kids select the lab to use with the class.  Here and here are articles explaining the science of popcorn.  I want the kids to see how closely their results are to 14% water in the kernels.  One Chem teacher on Facebook suggests putting a layer of sand at the bottom of the Erlenmeyer flask before adding oil and popcorn.  We might try comparing results microwaving popcorn, too.  I’ll post the results.

Science Stuff at Hobby Lobby!

I didn’t know Hobby Lobby had science toys.  Next summer, we’re doing the Joy of Toys as part of Science Camp.  Right now, Hobby Lobby has free shipping for orders greater than $50.  Below are some science toys available.  Who knew?  Well, if you have a store near your house, you might already know.  My husband sets a limit of ten minutes in any craft store.   I don’t get to browse.

 

Test Tubes and Test Tube Racks

 I’ve been combing the web for science deals.  If you want a set of test tubes with a rack, I recommend buying a set.  HST explains the different test tube sizes, their volumes, and stopper sizes.  Buy a set instead.  Be sure the test tubes are Pyrex or borosilicate.  I haven’t found tremendous deals.  The set below from HST includes a test tube brush and test tube holder.  BTW, a plastic test tube rack might warp a bit with a hot test tube; most of the time there is little or no damage.  If you buy eScience kits used, often there is a cardboard test tube rack included in the kit.  They work fine for most labs, too.

Deal!

 Amazon has a good price for microscope slides!

Chemistry on a Budget: Take Home Lab Challenges!

 Right now I’m hunting for ideas to use during science camp in June.  No, I don’t plan to clean pennies or combine Mentos and Diet Coke.  I stumbled across take home labs.  These labs tend to be safe; my science camp is composed of kids about ages 8-12.  Here is a long list from Terrific Science.  Look at Aspirin Tablets Can Differ,  Chromatography on Paper, and Sugar vs Salt.  These are sound chemistry experiments with safe, household chemicals.  The Homeschool Scientist has a long list of chemistry labs for different ages.  I’m thinking about adding some Food Chemistry, too: Curds and Whey, Food Cooking Chemistry, and Food Science Experiments for Kids from AtoZ Homeschooling.  I need to have a bunch of labs the kids can do at home with materials on hand in case we get a lot of snow this winter.  It helps to have a menu of labs; the kids can pick labs which require materials they already have.

Biology on a Budget: Water Quality Tests or Stream Study

 Are you doing a stream study in the spring?  Now is the time to buy aquarium test strips.  I like to use the test strips to measure pH, nitrate and nitrite levels.  Here are the basics for water quality study: pH, nitrates, turbidity, temperature, odor, and conductivity.  You could monitor a home well, tap water, or a stream.  You do NOT need expensive equipment.  Start with a thermometer, test strips, and a white ice cube tray, to sort macroinvertebrates, insect larvae in the water, which are water quality indicators.    Here is background information for sampling procedures, water temperature, water transparency, fresh water macroinvertebrates, and making a Secci disk to measure water transparency from GLOBE, sponsored in the U.S. by NASA.  You may like to add this cloud chart as part of the science of clouds.  Don’t worry if you aren’t exactly expert.  You and the kids can learn together.

Geocaching!

 In another life I used Garmin eTrex GPS devices to map sites for studies.  Families can geocache with these work horse devices.  But, you don’t need a GPS eTrex to geocache.  Instead download the free app on your cell phone to get started.  Here is an introduction to geocaching.  Look over this list of rules and geocaching etiquette before you start.  Sometimes, the cache has small prizes.  Here are ideas for small prizes to leave in exchange, such as keychains.  Does your family craft together?  Our little family likes to stamp leather keychains and bracelets, ideal as a small prize.  Try geocaching!  See if this fun activity resonates with your family.

Biology on a Budget: Step away from the microscopes!

 Amazon has a microscope and camera which connects to a laptop for $335.  It looks exciting!  In fact Amazon has several Cyber Monday deals for microscopes.  Step away!  Instead buy a USB microscope to connect to your laptop or Chromebook.  Buy a set of 25 slides from Amscope.  Have your teen focus the microscope slide with the digital microscope, take a screen-shot, sketch, and label the slide.  Repeat 25 times.  Job done.  All of your children can play with the microscope.  Look at paper currency, your skin, , etc.  Make the USB microscope a Christmas present.  See if you can beat the prices below for the microscope or the slides.  The set of four packs of  slides are fine for younger kids.  I have a set I use to teach kids how to focus the microscope because the objects mounted on the slides are larger.

BTW I don’t have my teens stain their own slides.  I never have any luck with the results.  My classes just study prepared slides.  They can make their own slides in college if they take Histology.

J

Apologia Chemistry: Phase Change Diagrams

Is it essential to teach about Phase Diagrams?  Probably not.  I do.  This slideshow has a video and video worksheet.  This CK Chemistry unit has videos and a simulation.  I use this worksheet (key) to help kids navigate a phase diagram.  Phase diagrams map the equilibrium states for a substance.  Stick to the phase diagrams for water and carbon dioxide.

I use this as an opportunity to explain equilibrium.  We live outside DC near Quantico.  I 95 is in our back yards.  I use I 95 to explain equilibria.  Monday to Friday, barring a holiday, I 95 North is bumper to bumper at 6 am; I 95 South is a small stream at 6 am.  At 6 pm, I 95  North is a small stream and I 95 South is bumper to bumper.  At noon, Monday to Friday, the traffic north and south on I 95 is roughly the same.  Traffic is in a steady state.  When I teach the module on equilibrium at the end of the course, I use the same analogy to show how to calculate the equilibrium constant.

Chemistry on a Budget: Molecule Kits

 Amazon has a huge discount on Happy Atoms, a magnetic, molecular modeling kit.  The kids build molecules and use an app to identify the molecule.  Hold off before you buy the kit.  I like molecule kits; there is a box of models in my basement classroom.  But, we use the kits to build specific models.  For example, when we introduce organic chemistry, the kids build models.  I use Lab-aids Molecules of Life kit.  I bought two sets—which were pricey.  However, I use them for both Biology and Chemistry, co-op classes.  Instead, make your own clay molecules.  Use the CPK Color Chart and tempera paint to color the atoms.  Use this chart to build molecules and check the bond angles.  I’m thinking about having the kids make their own molecule kits as a take-home lab.

VSEPR Molecular Kit: Print with 3D Printer

 Does your local library have a 3D printer?  Check to see if there is a STEM lab or Maker Space at the library.  You can print models from the thingaverse, such as a VSEPR Molecule set.  (Here is a brief explanation about VSEPR  models.)  Browse the Thingaverse for different molecular shapes.  Frequently, the library will let you 3D print without any cost.  One caveat is the 3D printer can take a long time to print an object.  

Black Friday Deals

 There are some good Black Friday deals for science classes: pipettes, labware, molecule kits, pH paper, magnetic stirrer (no heat), and water gel beads. The prices for water gel beads vary.  I’m keeping a sharp eye out for deals in thermoplastic beads, benzoic acid, and stuff for science camp.  I’ll add as I find more deals.

Science on a Budget: Salt Dough Project Ideas

 Do you make salt dough for projects?  Here is a simple recipe from Celebrating Chemistry with suggestions to vary the flour and salt—making the dough activity more inquiry-based.  I recommend experimenting with several salt dough recipes.  What can you do with the dough?  Make cell models, landforms,  fossil casts, layers of the earth, and salt dough plants (Make the models scientifically correct.).  There was a suggestion on social media to use the corrugated campaign signs as bases for the salt dough projects.  Ha!  There are certainly many still up in our area since the election.  

Family Science: Test Sunscreens with UV Beads

 Do you have leftover sunscreen?  (BTW Sunscreen lasts at least three years.). Are you familiar with UV beads?  We string them on to chenille stems or pipe cleaners as simple bracelets.  When UV beads are exposed to sunshine or a black lamp, they change color.  Here are Steve Soangler’s instructions for testing sunscreens with UV beads. Here is an information sheet about UV beads.  Look for solar nail polish, too.  Your kids will have a blast!

Chemistry on a Budget: Kool-aid Labs

 This year’s National Chemistry Week was about fibers.  One lab resources was Dyeing to Color Fabric with Kool-aid.  Pull out old, white, cotton t-shirts to experiment. Read more about dyeing fabric at Dharma Trading.  Any dye adheres better to cotton with a mordant.  My teens also do this Koolaid Serial Dilution lab.  Here is a Kool-aid molarity lab.  When I teach unit conversions, the kids must make a five ounce cup of Kool-aid  Each kid gets a different flavor of Kool-aid; each type has a different mass.  The kids have to reduce the recipe for two quarts of Koolaid-aid to one five ounce serving.  Below is a video about the Kool-aid conversion lab.  We save leftover Kool-aid packs for the series dilution and dye labs.  Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or present your teen a challenge.

Chemistry on a Budget

Update: If you use Benedict’s solution for the copper II reduction test, heat the powder and Benedict’s solution in a test tube in a boiling water bath.  We tried using boiling water from an electric kettle with mixed results.  When we return from Break, we’ll follow these instructions.  The Benedict’s solution produces results for sugars.  You won’t compromise your lab if you omit this test.  I had some on hand leftover from Biology class, last year.

The kids are starting the White Powder lab.  I’ve been dividing class time.  I squeezed in quick lessons on naming acids and balancing equations.  I start with a quick review lesson and then launch the lab.  Our Co-op classes meet twice a week for 90 minutes.  This lab usually takes a minimum of two hours to complete.  I use ten different powders; fewer powders would streamline the lab.  When I taught Chemistry remotely, the kids tested five powders and had one unknown.  Take a look!

Apologia Biology: Check this out!

 A Biology teacher, Matthew Simmons, is an artist who creates whiteboard murals for specific Biology topics, such as Mendelian Genetics.  He posts regularly on Facebook in the National Biology Teachers group, on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.  Take a look at his images.  They are extraordinary!  

Memes!

 Do you post memes?  Below are a few.  The Co-op classes meet in our unfinished basement.  (No, as long as we perform messy experiments, we have no plans to finish the basement.)  Any funny memes or quotes enliven the space. I need to put up the second image downstairs, right now.

Balance Equations with LEGOS

Have you tried balancing equations, yet?  Here is my slideshow using nuts, bolts, bottle caps and LEGOS. One teacher on the Facebook groups uses math manipulatives or counting blocks.  You could use buttons or bottle caps.  Here is a LEGO balancing equations worksheet.  Here is a LEGO Model with a few compounds.  Usually, carbon is black and hydrogen is white Sometimes oxygen is either red or blue.  Here is an atom key.  I like to match the colors of the bricks with the colors for molecular model kit atoms.  My kids used the molecular models in Biology and will use them again when I teach Organic after Christmas. See what you already have on hand.  I’ve been saving plastic bottle caps.  Hands-on exercises help kids see the rationale for achieving a balanced equation.  Below are videos I made during Quarantine explaining how to balance equations.

Apologia Biology: Giant DNA Model

 There was a recent post on Social Media about Pool Noodle DNA Model.  If you have or can obtain several different pool noodles, this is a great collaborative activity.  

Electron Configuration Visual

 Take a look at Bond with James.  The first image uses plastic cups to assign electrons when kids write electron configurations—always a pain.  Another teacher on Social Media has plastic cups in different colors for s, p, d, orbitals.  She uses craft sticks.  So, I took inspiration and made my own prop.  I had a large box, craft sticks, and clear, plastic cups.  I couldn’t find my Velcro; instead, I hot-glued the labeled cups to the box.  I didn’t have room for 4d orbitals.  However, this prop should take up over the hump to learn how electrons occupy orbitals. 

Another Nomenclature Idea

Another teacher on Social Media posted this Ionic Nomenclature Activity (My Name is) to help teach naming ionic compounds.  Looks fun!

Ugly Christmas Sweater or Lab Coat Activity

These templates are just for fun.  Download and print  an Ugly Sweater template or Lab Coat coloring page for the kids to decorate with science or Christmas decorations. ( Here is the TPT link; the price is $2.00.)  I have artsy kids who I think will like this activity. Below is the image from TPT to give your kids ideas for the design.

Chemistry on a Budget: White Powder Lab

 The White Powder lab or Mystery Powders lab is another activity which helps teens understand physical and chemical properties. I use ten different white powders.  I have Benedict’s solution leftover from Biology, last year.  I bought conductivity pens because I teach Co-op Chemistry regularly.  I add a pH test, too, with pH paper, phenol red or universal indicator.   You might want to crush Epsom salts, sugar, and Kosher salt to make it harder to tell the powders apart.

The Mystery Powders lab uses sugar or sucrose, table salt or sodium chloride, baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, and plaster of Paris.  If you do not have plaster of Paris, crush up white chalk.  Commercial white chalk is usually magnesium carbonate.  This lab uses fewer test reagents, too.  Don’t buy more reagents.  The kids will get the same experience identifying unknowns.

Here’s how the lab works.  The kids test each labeled, white powder.  They are encouraged to take detailed notes.  Next, the kids identify the same ten, white powders, all unknowns, and numbered.  The kids submit their ten answers.  I circle the incorrect unknowns.  The kids may retest any known chemical.  This process of testing has kids create a qualitative analysis scheme.  

During COVID I made these simple kits for the kids to test Mystery Powders.

Plan to have loads of pipettes and several reaction plates.

 

The plastic, paint palettes work well.  

Apologia Chemistry Experiment 3.2

 Update: This lab is a good example of an inquiry lab.  The two boys took Experiment 3.2 and Carolina’s electrolysis instructions and tried several different factors.  What happens if you use tap water rather than distilled water?  How does baking soda compare to sodium sulfate?  Will sucrose or sodium chloride work?  Does bottle, drinking water work as well as distilled water?  This is inquiry.  It takes a lab from the textbook and makes kids think scientifically.

A few of my Chemistry kids hang around after class.  Sometimes, they work ahead on upcoming labs.  I had two of the boys film Experiment 3.2.  The two boys did Carolina’s Petri Dish Electrolysis Activity, first.  The two labs are similar.  The boys used the instructions from the textbook and compared results with the Carolina Electrolysis lab.  The boys also used phenol red and universal indicator in different experiments to compare results.  Dr. Wile’s experiment calls for baking soda and distilled water.  The boys found that bottled water and baking soda worked fairly well.  However, Glauber’s salts, sodium sulfate, worked much better than baking soda.  The Carolina lab calls for Glauber’s salt, sodium sulfate with universal indicator.  The boys tested with phenol red, too; we had some on hand.  The Glauber’s salt and phenol red indicator solution produced the best results.  There is a video they made below.  Please ignore the background noise.  The Physics class was conducting friction experiments.  My husband, Rob, came into the video because he smelled something burning—the 9V battery.  We just had a battery bank explode and burn the rug.  Rob’s been a little neurotic over any electrical smell sense.  Go figure.

Hydro-dipping and Colorful Lather Prints

 Our Co-op class attendance was hit last week by the Holy Day and illness.  Several of the kids are miles ahead of the others.  The kids miles ahead tried hydro-dipping.  I’ve been saving glass jars to hydro-dip.  The kids made Colorful Lather prints, too.  Next time, the kids are dipping rocks in nail polish.  The lather prints explore polar and nonpolar compounds, explained here.  The kids loved this lab.  They dipped plastic, yogurt containers, glass jars, and index cards.  The other kids are working diligently to catch up so they can do the fun labs outside.