Science

The Intro Chemistry course started with a lesson on observation and inquiry. The first day we examined two different systems: an orange juice clock and a burning candle. In this exercise the kids were allowed to give me an observation that helped explain how it worked or they gave me question that needed to be answered. The candle discussion was our natural transition to the three states of matter and to discuss extensive and intensive properties of matter.

Next, as a class we classified samples as either homogenous or heterogenous (orange juice, apple juice, mayo, relish, strawberry jam, etc.). Then we did a review of intensive and extensive properties, where each group listed their observed properties of a sample of obsidian or pumice.

We followed that with a story telling activity, where students shared their experiences with separations. In each class there was at least one kid who has panned for gold, which I found interesting. In one class they ran out of examples, so I picked students to explain some scenarios I had prepared. They key to this activity was at the end of each example they listed the property of matter that was utilized to make the separation.

The following day we started off with a warm-up activity that reviewed the importance of observation. I gave them a story about a person who by observation caught a forgery before the buyer paid 1.5 million for an old document. Then I gave them a few minutes of silence to see if they could spot the forgery.

The next topic was elements, compounds and chemical reactions. They seemed to all remember something from 8th grade science, so this was quick. We utilized a flow chart to show substances versus mixtures, which forced them to utilize all the mixture vocabulary in addition to the current lesson’s.

Next we did physical versus chemical change demos. I was surprised how much debate went on when we boiled water. The class was almost split on if the bubbles at the bottom of the boiling water was water vapor or hydrogen and oxygen gas. I almost didn’t do this one, but am very glad I did.

The first lab was an observational lab. They mixed chemicals in a sandwich bag and observed the changes (color, temperature,bubbling). They really enjoyed. I grabbed this one right out of the Flinn manual.

On Friday they had their first quiz, and we began discussing scientific notation, percent error, and significant figures. Next week we’ll continue this chapter along with the rest of scientific measurement.