Physical Science: Electromagnetism

 Electromagnetism has been a quest!  In the past, when I taught Physical Science, I used TOPS Electricity and Magnetism along with Apologia’s Physical Science textbook.  I had a bin with supplies (and here) and let the kiddos work through lessons.  Everyone was happy.  Well, my husband, Rob, teaches Physics.  He wanted more.  Squishy Circuits were okay.  Paper Circuits worked intermittently.  The kids burnt out several components in Snap Circuits.  I’m telling you, I tried a bunch of strategies.  

Then, Rob was happy.  How?  I bought a used FOSS kit.  I found four of the five drawers in the kit on Good Will. My intention was to use it for Science Camp. I did.  Rob helped with camp and liked the kit.  (Here is a post.)  Is the kit intended for Middle or High School?  No.  Does it work consistently?  Absolutely—which is why Rob uses it for Physics.  Here’s the problem: finding the kit.  There is one drawer on eBay for $200.  Ouch.  However, FOSS was previously Delta Science.  The Science in a Nutshell kits are Delta products.  They are much cheaper.  The Energy Guide from Delta Science has all of the experiments.  

Physical Science: Chemistry

 I love teaching Chemistry to kiddos of all ages.  Not everyone loves it as much as I do.  Don’t be intimidated!  I teach with Apologia textbooks and supplement with everything else.  I like the sample Middle School Chemistry Home Science Tools has online; p54 has an acid-base titration lab which is sensational!  My favorite Middle School Chemistry is from ACS.  These lessons are designed to help teachers who don’t have a background in Chemistry.  Look at Chapter One: Matter; there are videos, lessons, simulations, readings, and teacher information.  Detour to these ACS lessons as you tackle the modules in Apologia’s Physical Science textbook.

Do some classic, Middle School labs: Rainbow Lab (follow directions), Ice Cream in a Bag (Freezing Point Depression), Mystery Powders (Tremendous details) (Mystery Powders-fewer details), and Red Cabbage Chemistry.

Build on the experiments in the textbook.  This Apologia PS sample has Experiment 1.1, Making Observations, which amounts to dropping an Alka-Seltzer tablet into water.  Let’s take this up a notch: Alka-Seltzer Rockets, Fizz Race,  and Temperature L3 (Vary the water temperature with the film cartridge rockets.)  

Branch out! Look over different lab collections: National Chemistry Week 2025, ACS NCW 2024, and ACS NCW 2023.

Physical Science: Experimental Design

 I’m not a fan of the scientific method. Experimentation doesn’t always take a linear approach.  Some experiments have hypotheses and others have a purpose. Still other labs replicate a classic experiment.  I loathe trying to construct ‘if than’ statements to govern a lab.  Most of the labs completed in Physical Science classes (or any high school, science class ) has a purpose rather than a hypothesis.  Here is an entire book about experimental design, which is much messier than the Scientific Process or the Scientific Method. 

It is a good idea to teach about experimental design.  I use Mummifying Apples to teach experimental design.  First, the Egyptians used natron; therefore the experiment includes salt (NaCl, sodium chloride), baking soda, (NaHCO3, sodium bicarbonate), washing soda (NaCO3, sodium carbonate—Arm & Hammer), and Epsom salts (MgSO4*7H2O, magnesium sulfate*heptahydrate).  This is a good blend of chemicals to simulate nation.  Now comes the hard part.  Ask the kids to determine which salts actually draws out water.  How can you determine which salt actually does the work?  The answer is to design an experiment.  This is the independent variable.  More in a bit.

It takes time to understand the masses of the apple slices must be the same.  The cups must be the same.  The mass of salt or salt mixture must be the same.  These are controlled variables.  You try to control as many aspects of the experiment as possible.  We put ours in a box to control light.

There are confounding variables to any experiment: the relative humidity, temperature, cats, anything which could disturb the experiment.

The kids should have a total of 50 g in each cup.  I made a chart below.  I find numbering the chemicals to be helpful: 1. NaCl, 2. NaHCO3, 3. NaCO3, and 4. MgSO4*7H2O.  Be sure to use the same proportions of each chemical.

Now is the time to determine a hypothesis.  Which combination will draw out the most water?  A hypothesis has two parts: the Null and Alternative hypotheses.  The null hypothesis is that each combination will draw out water to the same extent.  The alternative hypothesis is that one combination, say 1&2 will draw more water than any other.

The kids should weigh the apples every few days for a ten day period.  Teens should keep good records. If they knocked over the contents of a cup or forgot to enter an apple slices, that should be in the notes.  Eventually, one Apple slice will weigh the least.  Now is the time for a conclusion.  

The conclusion should explain whether the results support the null hypothesis, the alternative hypothesis, or neither.  Finally, more trials are indicated.  Typically, kids put one slice of each combination in a cup, essentially one trial.  Three cups for each slice would be better.  I just don’t want to spend $50 on one lab.  

Here is a lab report as a slide show. Here is an example with the Co-op class data—at least some of it.  This is the same process used to build a science fair project.  Yes, this is hard!  Apple Mummies works for elementary to high school students as a tool to understand experimental design.

Physical Science: Measures

Measures make great introductory labs.  I gather as many tools as possible: calipers, measuring tape, rulers, thermometer, digital scales, graduated cylinders, string, etc. (Here is a DIY scale.  Use coins as weights.) Gather loads of objects: balls, marbles, blocks, metal cubes, lead weights, etc.  Here is the slide presentation I made with a few more resources.  Here is a good, metric measures introduction.  We use the mnemonic, Many Kids Have Dropped Over Dead Converting Metrics (Mega Kilo Hecto Deka BASE deci centi milli).

1. Mini Measurement Lab or Metric Measurement Lab are good guides for a basic measures lab.

2. Now is a good time to Calibrate a Thermometer.

3. Penny Density Lab uses mass and volume to calculate density.  I nearly always do this lab when I review measures.  

4. Accuracy vs Precision is a lab copy I’ve had forever and cannot find anywhere.  I use red, Solo cups, damp sponges, and meter sticks.  

Physical Science: Hot Wheels Speedometry

 I just added this link for Hot Wheels Speedometry to the last post.  We keep a box of tracks, cars, and launchers in the basement just for intro, speed labs.  

1. How Hot are Your Hot Wheels?

2. Hot Wheels Hustle

3. Measure Speed and Motion

Rob and I have done outreach with the Hot Wheels track, launchers, and cars.  The kids learn the fundamentals of speed.  You don’t need to complicate things.

GoPro and Hot Wheels Car allows kids to grab video.  Rob uses the car, Go Pro Hero Session 5 and Hot Wheels track for Physics.  You can buy both the car and GoPro Hero on eBay. The Angry Bird car works extremely well on the track.

Physical Science: Motion Introduction

Let me share a few more resources.  I’m mapping the Physical Science Course to teach in two years.  While I’m at it, I might as well post some helpful links.  First, this Forces and Motion Overview is outstanding and loaded with videos, graphics, and terms, sadly few labs.  My husband, Rob, teaches Physics.  He had one-meter boards cut at Lowes he uses as ramps.  (Meter sticks are too narrow.)  Rob does tons of simple labs. (He likes to use tennis balls or the pinky ball.)  Here is Hot Wheels Speedometry and below are a few labs. 

1.  Rolling Along examines linear motion, distance vs time, velocity vs time, and acceleration vs time—all with balls and a ramp.

2. Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration is another good introductory lab.

3. Intro to Motion uses a motion detector.  SPARK Lab is one type.   Create motion graphs.  I have Pasco Spark devices, which collect data.  The Spark has labs loaded on to the system.  Add a motion detector and you are ready to go.  Here is a description.  You can use an Airline (Bluetooth)  (and here)  interface to connect with an iPad.  The issue is with the app.  The app continuously updates and may not include older iPads.  I finally bought the older Spark systems with the labs loaded, instead.  Kids love to play with the motion detector.  One tip: the motion detector has a switch for cart or human.  Have it in the right position for your lab.

Lastly, here is my lesson overview.

 

Physical Science: Thermal Energy

 Energy is a vast topic.  Are there labs I’ve overlooked? I was at a workshop when the presenter demonstrated a conductometer. (There are cheaper ones on Amazon.) 

I had never seen one before.  (Here is a lab for heat conduction.) I’ve taught Physical Science many times and had never heard of the devise, which measure melting point.  (BTW, this lab dovetails well with properties of matter: density and specific heat.) Let me share a few good labs when you tackle Heat, or Temperature.  Here is my introductory presentation.

1. Calibrate a Thermometer Use both the Ice and Boiling water methods.  Dig out all of your thermometers around the house. 

2. Matter on the Move Watch food coloring in hot and cold water.  

3. Heating Curve of Water Start with ice and boil it.  Check temperatures as the solid ice melts.  Yes, this is like watching paint dry.

4.  Heat, Temperature, and Conduction.  You put washers in hot water.  Try boiling the washers and put them in room temperature water, or freezing the washers.  

5. Heat Capacity of Pennies 1983 and newer pennies are mainly zinc.  Pre-1982 pennies are mainly copper.  1982 coins might be either zinc or copper.

6.  Soda Can Calorimeter You burn food and raise the temperature of water. 

7. Hot and Cold Packs Lab Home Science Tools sells both calcium chloride and ammonium nitrate.  Driveway Heat is mainly calcium chloride.

 

Physical Science: Newton’s Laws

 I’m always looking for labs, especially for Physical Science.  Yes, we do the labs in the textbook.  Physical Science bridges Middle School and High School.  It’s taught in eighth or ninth grades across the country.   Consequently, there seems to be more variety of labs, demos, and activities.  Let’s start with Newton’s Laws, a core topic.  This Glencoe packet has mini labs, investigations, worksheets, tests, etc.  Below are some labs.

Newton’s First Law: Diving Eggs (Demo), Wacky Washers, Inertia Stations (Try Penny on Elbow), and Coin Flick.

Newton’s Second Law: Domino Dash, Newton’s Second Law To Go (DIY Dynamics cart), and Air Powered Mass (more instructions and paper car template). 

Newton’s Third Law:  Rocket Power and Newton’s Cart.

Gravity: Gravity Lab (Ball Drop) and Gravity.

How do you maximize the benefit of labs?

 Labs work best when they connect to a topic.  Ask your kids a question.  What is the point to this lab?  Or ask, ‘So, what?”  I ask my Co-op classes to explain the purpose of the lab.  (Don’t say busy-work.)  I want them to understand that each and every lab, experiment, or activity has a purpose.  One tool to help you are scripted labs, such as Ball Drop (Basketball Blaster) , and Reaction in a Bag.  These labs demonstrate a concept.  Look for labs with teachers’ guides, especially those with questions.  For example, Can Crush has an obvious question, ‘What caused the can to collapse?’  (It’s also pressure.)  

How do you find these labs?  Be very specific with your topic.  For example, when I teach diffusion, I look for a good Diffusion lab.  (This version has excellent questions.)

Make sure the lab has a purpose or background section and follow-up questions to use.  Go for the obvious: Newton’s First Law Lab or Boyle’s Law Lab.  Your goal is to introduce these concepts.  Another example is calorimetry. What is a calorie?  How are calories in food measured?  Try Soda Can Calorimetry here, here, and here.  Google specific terms, such as ‘density lab pdf’: What is Density? (guided instructions), Beverage Density, and Liquid Density Experiments.

Do follow-up.  I might keep a lab or the equipment out when I review the concept.  I teach more about Specific Heat after the lab.  I keep the coffee cup calorimeter out.  I might repeat the lab to help the kids understand just what the specific heat of a metal is by pretending to insert a hot metal cube into the cold water inside the calorimeter.  The lab becomes integral to the instruction.  

Lastly, refer back to the lab.  Remember when we did Boyle’s Law lab?  What were the variables?  What is the relationship?  How does it contrast to Charles’ Law Lab?  What are those variables?  What are Gas Laws?  Why aren’t there liquid or solid laws?  (The molecules are too close to one another.)  It doesn’t always work; whenever possible, make connections.  Go back to my original question.  What is the point to this lab? 

Happy New Year! Make a commitment to do more labs!

 It’s nearly 2026.  Start right after the holidays and do more labs.  Labs and activities do not need to be expensive.  The more hands-on experiences your kiddos get, the more they will understand science.  Start by doing the labs in the Apologia textbooks.  Do the hard ones!  (I’m looking at you, Experiment 5.1 Width of a Molecule.) Sketch microscope slides.  (Yes, you can sketch digital slides, such as Human Histology or Virmisco.). The DuoScope microscope and a set of  25 Amscope, prepared slides is around $25.

 

Look for easy labs designed to do at home: Do Try This at Home (Physics), Physics (Physical Science), Biology, Science from Home, Chemistry (kiddos), BASF Activities (kiddos), Chem: Flinn at Home, BP Energy (kiddos),  and NASA.  Regardless of your children’s ages, start here, with Kitchen Chem 101   if you are a complete novice.    These labs and activities will build your confidence.  

 Be brave and try more Chemistry with ChemMatters Labs (High School); they require a bit of equipment.  However, any lab you do is fine.  (Skip the 6M HCL and 6 M NaOH.  It’s dangerous.) Look at Energy Foundations, which has a broad range of labs and activities.  Check out The Biology Corner.  Visit the Home Science Tools Resources.  Go outside your comfort-zone!  Don’t just read the textbook, answer the questions, and take the tests.  Do more labs!

Why do I Apologia Textbooks for Science classes?

 As a teacher, I had any number of science textbooks available.  Often private school teachers have the autonomy to select their textbooks, unlike public school teachers.  I did like several of the mass-marketed textbooks.  However, I’m sticking with Apologia’s Science textbooks for all grades.  Why?  They are Christian.  I don’t have to worry about odd propaganda inserted to make the textbook more current.  (I’m looking at you Climate Change!). The National Biology and National Chemistry  groups are promoting Next Generation Science Storylines currently.  Previously there was a huge push for Project Based Learning (PBL) and Flipped Classroom. (Look at the NSTA conference to get an idea about current trends.). Science teachers try to insert the basics of their disciplines around the current  instructional flavor.  You don’t have to navigate trends.

Sooner or later, science teachers revert to the basics.  Stick with Apologia’s textbooks.  The core topics, ideas, and skill sets are all there.  Apologia understands the hand of God is written over every aspect of science.  Do I supplement?  Yes, all the time.  I know teens need more problem sets in Chem than Apologia offers.  I like to add labs, such as the Bubble Membrane or a lesson such as Borneo Cats (unintended consequences) to Bio.  I’ll raid any number of Physical Science textbooks to add fun labs.  But at the core is Apologia.  I’m sticking with the fundamentals.

Errors in Apologia Textbooks

 Every textbook has errors, some more than others.  (I’m looking at your 3e Chemistry!). Did you know Apologia has errata files.  Yes, loads!  These are especially useful when you can’t imagine how on earth that could be the correct answer.  Here are the errata for the Elementary Science series, Young Explorers.   Here are the errata pages for the middle and high school science textbooks currently published.  Here are the Physics’ errata pages by edition.  Here are the Advanced Biology pages by edition.  

I became interested in errors in textbooks when I taught Physical Science.  I kept stumbling on to errors in problems.  One key study from N.C. State uncovered Physical Science textbooks rife with errors.  Guess what?  This Nature article indicates the situation among science textbooks hasn’t changed.  Mass marketed  science and math textbooks are edited; however the ancillary material often isn’t.  Ancillary material includes the teacher’s textbook, answers, tests, and worksheets.  

So what?  My undergrad was Bio.  It was a nightmare learning how to teach Chemistry and Physical Science initially.   Sure, I had had Chem in college, topics seldom encountered in high school.  It meant relearning everything.  Consequently, when I encountered errors, I spent hours trying to determine what I had done incorrectly.  Many, many middle school teachers lack Chem and Physics skills; they are responsible for teaching Physical Science.  Like you, they are counting on the material to be correct.  The next time you stumble on a topic or a problem, check the errata.  It might not be you at all.

iPads

 Do you use iPads?  I find these devices to be extremely useful.  Yes, I have a few laptops; a laptop is easy to connect to an old TV to screen slide presentation, images, Google Classroom assignments, etc.  Yes, you can connect an iPad to the TV, too.  However, I don’t like to tether an iPad.  They are convenient as an extra device: write essays, create spreadsheets, follow a dissection, or build a molecule.  iPads take up much less space than a laptop.  There are so many useful apps!  I’ve purchased several iPads for around $130.  These are refurbished.  I haven’t had any issues.  Believe me, the iPads see hard use. I don’t spend tons on the iPad case either, since I’m protecting $130 purchase.  I’ve taken the whole lot to the Apple Store when I’ve had an issue with passwords.  Apple solved the problem without any fuss or bother.  I have had more problems signing into my Apple account than with any of the iPads themselves.

More Maker Camp 2026

 Maker Camp 2026 is a work in progress.  Even for a three-day camp, you need loads of ideas.  Right now, the two coolest ideas are the balance board and scrap wood catapult.  (I bought a box of hammers last year to smash geodes.)  We’ve made balance boards at Camp before.  Let the kids decorate their boards: sharpies, washi tape, paint, etc.  We used PVC pipe; however we’ve used pool noodles, too.  Pool noodles are easier for younger kiddos. I have built the simple catapults with a small group.  These are a huge hit.  I just added Refraction of Light, DIY Phone Speaker, and Galaxy Jars.  Does it look eclectic? It is.  I never know just what will resonate.  I also need to reorder the activities.  Do small projects early and lead up to bigger, fun activities or builds.

Maker Camp: 2026 Update

 I’m on the hunt for ideas for Maker Camp 2026 in June.  I just saw a great idea: a Magnet Maze.  Younger kiddos can use a paddle magnet and older kids can use strong, neodymium magnets, with steel marbles. Since we’re playing with magnets, we might as well do a few fun labs: Magnetism, Magnetic Bottles, and Iron Filings.

We’re making DIY Density Bottles, too.  You need UV, Polly beads and regular pony beads.  Be sure to buy the same size—8mm or 9 mm beads.

A Little more AP

Try  Summer assignments.  Are you considering tackling an AP next year?  Look at teachers’ summer assignments.  They provide a great first lesson and give you an idea about class expectations.  What are the prerequisite skills?  What should you review?  One idea to use is a released NY Regents Exam. They are comprehensive. You may want to assign the first few chapters in the AP textbook. Take a look below for sample, summer assignments.

1. AP Physics: here, here, and here.  You can see that the Physics teachers are all concerned that the teens have a solid math foundation.  My husband, Rob, teaches General Physics.  He assigns a New York Algebra I Regents test as his summer assignment.  He wants to make sure the kids can solve problems.

2. AP Chemistry: here, here, and here.  Chem teachers want either a comprehensive review or they focus on specific skills the teen will need, such as assigning oxidation numbers—a skill used a lot in AP Chem.

3. AP Biology: here, here, and here.  Bio teachers are all over the map.  They might assign a project, review basic chemistry, or review Bio.  Pick a project which resonates or use a few ideas for the first few classes.

4.AP Environmental Science: here, here, and here.  APES has creative assignments.  You can get ideas for several introductory projects.  APES teachers tend to hear that their AP isn’t rigorous and consequently assign volumes of extra work to compensate.  Really.  

College Board AP Biology

 I’ve only taught AP Biology once, which is ironic; Bio was my undergrad major.  There are always other teachers who wanted the course.  For years I did keep up on the course and attended workshops.  It’s one course I could do with some prep.  Here is the course description and here is the lab manual.  There used to be mandatory labs.  Here are the latest FRQs.  All the AP Science courses were revamped to embrace Big Ideas and to make the courses more accessible.  The recommended textbooks, a sample syllabus are located here. Campbell and Mader are both very, very popular.   Teachers who want to access any AP materials must submit an AP syllabus which is audited.  This enables access to older FRQs, questions, etc. described here.  ( It took me hours to create a suitable syllabus for APES.)  

The only area of the AP Bio course which really gives me pause is the Biotech part.  I’ve only done DNA Gel Electrophoresis once during a week-long training program.  Yes, it does mean relearning chi squares.  (See M & Ms Statistics for a quick refresher.). If you want to teach an AP Biology once Co-op course, take a Summer Institute.  You may want to buy a copy of the AP Bio POGIL book.  Use the Khan Academy Course.  One tip I learned at a workshop was to teach using a 200 level, college textbook, but let the kids use a 100 level textbook for their reading.  Campbell Biology and Biology in Focus are leaner and used for introductory courses.  (I went to many workshops; my colleague loathed them.  I didn’t mind.  I always picked up new ideas.) Here is a breakdown of the key topics for AP Bio to study, Campbell PowerPoint Slideshows, AP Video Essentials, Animations, Biology Olympiad exams (for extra questions), FRQs, Tips for FRQs, and Teacher Resources.

AP Bio has been around a looonnnng time.  The teacher websites, such as Collier Classroom are loaded with material.  Biology is detailed.  You and your students are in for a great deal of work.  You will want cheaper labs, too.  The Biology Corner has AP Biology Labs with simulations and a Lab Manual for teachers.  You might want this article about writing scientific papers. There is a QSL Advanced Biology Lab Kit.  

I did a deeper dive to find low cost labs: Diffusion and Osmosis, Cell Respiration Video Lab and worksheet, AP DNA Extraction lab (split peas—cheap!), HHMI Population Genetics (beads), Catalase (potatoes) lab, Virtual Gel Electrophoresis, the APES Parking Lot Biodiversity Lab (public high school), Photosynthesis (spinach disks), and Bozeman Dissolved Oxygen.

Plan extra class time and time at home if you embark on AP classes.  You’ll need more time to prepare and the teens will need more time to read, discuss, watch videos and do labs.

 

College Board AP Environmental Science

 In another life I taught AP Environmental Science ( APES) in both public and private schools.  I was an AP Reader, AP Table Leader, and did some consulting with College Board.  Why?  The course is accessible.  College-bound students who want AP credit can probably pass this AP exam if they do some work.  Here is some research Collage Board provides with stats about students.  Students who take an AP and take the exam are better prepared for college.  Not every college-bound kid can take AP Chem; most can take APES.  Here’s the rub.  I was not exactly loved by the APES community with which I worked.  I am a conservative Christian.  Surprise!  There are few conservatives of any stripe in the APES community.  There were very few of us who car-pooled to church during the grading session.  I stuck with it for nine years until it came to a point it was just too stressful to fight for a place in the community.  

How did I teach?  I was neutral with the kids on nearly every issue.  I would not discuss contraceptives for deer. The solution is a bullet and extended deer season.  My students were well aware I was conservative.  However, I was happy to discuss controversial issues, such as population growth.  I just added interesting data such as the many Western countries desperate for more children.  There are pros and cons to every issue.  My kids were very good at discussing any issue.  

Not surprisingly, families avoid environmental science as too political.  I think if you stick with the issues and teach them with both sides of the issue, it’s an interesting course.  Let me share some material.  Here is the Course Description and a list of labs.  Here   are more lab ideas. My favorite lab is Parking Lot Biodiversity.  Here are the past three years of FRQs. Here  is a guide and slide presentation  for answering FRQs.   Khan Academy has an APES Course.  Here is the 1998 released exam,  the 2008 exam, 2010 exam and 2016 exam;  the 1998 is much easier than subsequent AP exams.  I made up my tests and quizzes from FRQs and released exams.  Look for older 2016 FRQs, 2017,  2018, .  You can sign up as an instructor to get all of the FRQs, too.  Here are the scoring guides for2016,  2017, and 2018.  College Board also publishes sample student responses and explanations for scoring: 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

The Miller textbook is the widely used for instruction.  Buy the most current edition you can afford.  However, I wouldn’t buy an expensive, new copy.

I have attended Summer Institutes for APES twice, as part of the certification required by the school.  There are annual AP Workshops which basically review the previous year’s FRQs.  I have attended many of these; for a few years, my colleague had me attend the AP Bio workshop, too, on her behalf.  

Finally, let me share some good resources: Power of the Pyramids (original) (2020 Data), Parachuting Cats in Borneo, Personal Energy Audit, my syllabus, an APES Test Review for the course, the A to Z , Project, and an  APES Math Review.  Warning!  Many, many APES teachers are activists; their websites and Weeblies tend to reflect extremes views.

Christmas Science Experiments and Activities for Younger Kiddos!

 Here is another round-up!  Christmas Science Experiments has dancing cranberries (or cranraisins) colorful milk in ornament cutters, and a Christmas version of sink or float.  Easy Christmas Candy from Science Sparks, has Skittles, marshmallows, candy canes, and a gingerbread investigation—a perfect way to use leftover, Christmas candy.  Another favorite is making a Christmas Sensory Bottle—a magnet bottle.  Inflate Christmas Peeps in the microwave—a classic, or put them in water, vinegar, or oil, as an experiment.  Make Christmas Catapults.  Play with Instant Snow.  Make Reindeer Toothpaste.  Have a blast!

College Board AP Chemistry

 Update: QSL has an AP Chem MicroChem lab kit.  The labs coincide well with the inquiry labs required for the course.

College Board AP Chemistry has changed to a more inquiry-based course.  I have taught AP Chemistry—always with a great deal of trepidation.  The lab equipment necessary is also daunting.  You also need everything in Apologia’s Chemistry textbook just to start.  My recommendation is to coordinate with a college lab to use the Spec 20 and other equipment.  Here is the course and exam description.  Here are the guided-inquiry labs.  Here are the past three years’ free response questions (FRQs).  Here is an archive of FRQs.  I used the older FRQs because they are harder.  Why?  The kids were better prepared to tackle the current AP tests. Wing has these Review Packets.  It is hard to locate previous years’ multiple choice exams: 2008, 2002, 1984,  Sample Test, Practice Test, Practice 2024.  College Board ruthlessly ferrets out and removes sites with older MC tests.  The AP Chemistry guidebooks, such as Kaplan or Princeton Review, just aren’t hard enough.  Although I read in the WSJ the AP exams are easier.  (In another life, I graded AP Environmental Science exams.  For years, we graded tests with the AP Chemistry instructors.  I picked their brains and went to all of the evening sessions.  College Board hires teachers and college profs to hand grade the FRQs.  But that was years ago.  Even then, the older tests were much harder.) Use a college textbook, such as Zumdahl, which is usually a 200 level college course.  I attended an AP Chemistry Summer Institute (and a couple AP Environmental Science institutes); it was instrumental! The AP Classroom has help.  Here is a sample syllabus.  Here are instructional videos.  The other resource which is useful is the Chemistry Olympiad Exams.  These are hard and useful for practice.  TPT has a complete curriculum.  There is an AP Chemistry group on Facebook.  BTW, The Great Courses Chemistry is dry, and of questionable use for AP.  Ask me how I know.