Microscale Titration Lab: Calibrate Drops

Remember  Experiment 5.1, Measure the Width of a Molecule experiment?  In that lab, kids had to calibrate the volume of a drop.  We’re calibrating drops again with both a graduated pipettes and a dropper bottle before we do Microscale Titration of Vinegar.  The kids are counting the number of drops of water in 10 mL.  They’re working I groups of two or three so they can average their counts.  Here is a microscale lab for 0.1M NaOH and 0.1M HCl.  Usually, the kids titrate NaOH and HCl first and then titrate vinegar.  I’ll post more next week.

Series Dilution Lab

Today the kids in Co-op finished the acid base lab and the series dilution lab.  Here is a lab worksheet.  I like to do this lab so kids can see the range of concentrations between 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH, the pH range between 0-14.  Basically, I show the kids how to create the series dilution on the board and then explain the process again to each group.  We put 9 ml of distilled water in each test tube (18 x 150 mm Pyrex) and then one mL of acid or base.  After, the kids test with pH paper and put a drop of Universal indicator in each test tube.  My Universal indicator solution was broad spectrum—but didn’t produce great results.  I ordered more Universal indicator for the rest of the class to use next week.  Next we need to use these measures to explain pH.

Acids and Bases

I found the Acid Base Lab slideshow I made during COVID lockdown.  The pix should a similar chart to the one my kids use for the lab.

 I pulled out loads of common acids and bases to test with pH paper, litmus, phenolphthalein, bromothymol blue, universal indicator,  and phenol red.  Here is a broad spectrum indicator chart.  Below are pix.  The kids tested dish soap, baking soda, cola, peroxide, salt, rubbing alcohol, sugar solution, Epsom salts, vinegar, citric acid, etc.  Next, we’ll calculate pH.

Mad Science Camp: Magnetic Train

 Mad Science Camp is fast approaching!  I’m combing maker and STEM books for ideas.  I ran across this Magnetic Train idea.  Right now, my husband is finishing his Physics class.  So his kids will try this next week.  I’ll post pix and tips.

Periodic Trends

 The kids are graphing on paper several periodic trends, plotting trends, and doing this Periodic Table activity, It's in the Cards.  Here is the blog post with links and videos I posted last October.  Below are a few pix.

Shop Good Will: Giant Microbes

 I love Good Will online.  Watch the shipping and avoid electronics.  They have giant, plush microbes.  Yes, I’m bidding—and losing!  They have loads of things you did not know you needed.

Free Science of Energy Guide

 Take a look at this free Energy Guide.  There are literally loads of demos and experiments.  Free!

Summer Science Camp: FOSS kit

 Tax Season is nearly over.  It’s time to think about Summer Science Camp.  Here are my plans on a spreadsheet.  I bought a FOSS Energy kit from GoodWill online.  Actually, I bid on one drawer of the kit. I also bought a used copy of the student Energy book and a used copy of the teacher guide, Energy Investigations.  My husband teaches Physics and I have taught Physical Science.  These materials are intended for fourth graders.  However, the materials adapt well for both elementary and middle school aged kids.  The basic electricity and magnetism activities have been around for many years.  The newer kits are adapted to the Next Generation Science Standards.   Here is an overview of the Energy curriculum.  Here are energy lessons.  Here is a sample activity, making a circuit.  Here is an example of a detailed electricity lesson with teacher notes.  I want to tackle Electromagnetic Force with motors and hand crank generators.  I’ll post more pix as we decide which experiments to do.

Spring Fieldtrips

 Is your Co-op looking for field trip ideas?  I have a few!  The local fire, police, and rescue departments offer tours.  I like industrial field trips: waste water treatment plants, water treatment, landfills, recycling plants, and nuclear power plants.  Call first.  For example, North Anna Nuclear Power Plant offers tours at its Visitor Center.  Some days the visitor center is closed because of a national security threat.  Another reason to call is to check if the facility is still closed to visitors.  Our local treatment facility has virtual tours in lieu of live tours.  Booooo!  

Our family likes to take factory tours.  Some like, Route 11 Potato Chips are modest; we stop to buy their delicious chips atop send as presents.  Others, such as Herr’s or Pendleton Mill require reservations.  Sadly many factories used COVID to suspend tours.  Boooo!  

Hershey’s Chocolate World tour is still free.  One of the local Co-op groups is taking a trip to the Beckley Coal Mine, which charges a fee.  Our family visited the coal mine when our son, Fr. Josh, was assigned to St. Francis, in Beckley.  It’s an interesting tour.  Have you visited a Fish Hatchery?  There may be a fee.  We visited a fish hatchery last summer; it was the first time I saw a fish ladder.  Keep an open mind.  Ask scouting groups for ideas.  The local Boy Scouts toured a wolf dog sanctuary.  Some of the oddest sites offer the most memorable tours.

  

Acid Base Lab Round-up!

 After Easter, we’re rounding the bend.  One upcoming unit is Acids and Bases.  There are loads of labs home-school families and Co-ops can do.  Start with Chemistry’s Rainbow.  (Here is the teacher’s guide.). These demos require baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), citric acid (C6H8O7),  and universal indicator solution,  and Alka-Seltzer tablets.  Look for citric acid in the canning section at Walmart.  Here is an Indicator Blues, a lab series using red cabbage.  Kids can test vinegar and laundry detergent.  

My teens use litmus strips for their first lab.  I pull household chemicals: vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid, baking soda, shampoo, table salt, tonic water, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, hand soap, etc.  Initially, the kids test these solutions with red and blue litmus strips.  Here is a lab guide.  I have the kids make a chart with the name of the household chemical, their prediction (acid or base), and the results.  Next, the kids test the same chemicals with universal indicator.  You could substitute red cabbage indicator.  Here is another lab guide.  These labs are an excellent way to introduce acids and bases to kids at any age.  Happy Easter!

Why is water wet?

 One of my colleagues used to assign essays as punishment: Why Rocks are Hard, If 7-11 is open 24-7, why are their locks on the door?, and my favorite, Why Water is Wet.  Water has a number of unique properties; both ionic compounds and covalent molecules can dissolve in water.  (Khan Academy has a great lesson!)  Here is a good answer to Why Water is Wet.  It comes down to the bent shape of the water molecular--a result of its molecular geometry.  Here is Quick Freeze, a great lab to demonstrate colligative properties of water.  Fun, right?