Many home-school families use Apologia’s Chemistry textbook. There are 25 labs in the textbook. However, other families create their own programs or wonder which labs are really essential. I get it. You may worry about the costs. Let me recommend some solid labs which won’t break the bank and will cover a wide range of chemical topics.
1. Atoms: Do Beanium. It requires a mini scale and a mixed bag of dried beans. Measure the Width of a Molecule. The lab instructions suggest using chalk. I use ground pepper. Width of a Molecule is tough! Here is the slide deck I prepared to help you work through the lab and calculations.
2. Acids and Bases: Test household Acid and Bases with litmus and pH papers. Use tea, lemon juice, antacid tablets, baking soda, salt, tap water, clear soda, Epsom salts, etc.
3. Measures: Plan to do a basic Measures Lab, Significant Figures, and Penny Density Lab. Dig through a jar of pennies for pre-1982 (not 1983–the coins changed composition during 1982). Plan to use at least ten Pennie’s to get accurate results.
4. Reactions: ACS has a Middle School program teaching chemical reactions using household materials: Chemical Change with What is a Chemical Reaction?, Forming a Precipitate, Energy Changes, and Neutralizing Acids and Bases. There are clear instructions. Many, many Middle School teachers do not have a background in Chemistry. These labs and demos are safe, use household materials, and have clear explanations.
5. Stoichiometry: Can You Make 2 Grams? This version uses calcium chloride (Driveway Heat) and sodium carbonate. Here is the slide deck I made for this lab.
6. Flame Test: Green Chemistry Flame Test uses Colorful Flame Candles. Walmart sells these is the Party section
7. Gas Laws: Boyle’s Law Lab, Cartesian Divers, and Charles’ Law Lab require pipets and condiment packets. Save large yogurt containers to use instead of beakers.
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