The following hands-on activities and resources have been tested in the classroom and optimized for safety, student interest, and ease of use.
Contributed by the Elizabethtown College Student Chapter
Add yeast to hydrogen peroxide and detergent to make dramatic foam and teach about catalysts.
Contributed by the Northwestern State University Student Chapter
Combine baking soda and vinegar to an indicator solution to teach about the products of chemical reactions.
Contributed by Butane: The Carroll College Chemistry Club
Play a chemistry card game to teach students how to name chemical compounds and write chemical formulas.
Contributed by the Chi Epsilon Mu (XEM) Chemistry Club at Austin Peay State University
Use oil, water, and the gas released from an Alka-Seltzer tablet to create a lava lamp and teach about density.
Contributed by the Chemistry Student Association at The University of Texas at Dallas
Spray ammonia-based glass cleaner into different samples of sand (mixed with a transition metal salt) to show how chemical properties can be used to help solve crimes.
Share an Activity
Do you have a favorite hands-on activity that you use to teach students about the wonders of science? Other chemists and Student Members want to find out about it! Please contribute your activity to the Kids & Chemistry collection. Contact Patti Galvan to include your activity here.
Make Your Own Activity Kit
If you wish to make your own kit, use the following information. A list of materials can be found at the end of the presenter's guide.
Best for grades 3–5
Measure with purpose and cause exciting physical changes as you investigate the baby diaper polymer, place a super-absorbing dinosaur toy in water, and make slime.
What’s New, CO2?
Best for grades 4–6
Combine chemicals and explore the invisible gas produced to discover how self-inflating balloons work.
Best for grades 5–8
Interpret color changes like a scientist as you create acid and base solutions, neutralize them, and observe a colorful chemical reaction.