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The human atom

Students will act out the role of atoms by dressing up as the atoms of designated elements. They will wear costumes with balloons representing valence electrons. The “atoms” will gain or lose valence electrons in order to achieve chemical stability. The students must then identify the charges of the ions formed.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Development and Science)

By Kamie Wine.

Periodic table

This lesson provides knowledge about periodic law, groups and periods. Students will be able to identify and label each group with their names. Students will be able to relate atomic number and atomic masses of different elements of periodic table. Students will also be able to discuss periodicity of different properties of elements.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Development and Science)

By Abha Bhatnagar and Meera Madan.

Chem-speak (introduction to chemical equations)

Students will understand what constitutes a chemical reaction and how chemical equations represent chemical reactions by means of discussion and demonstrations.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Brenda Rock.

Jellybean equations

Students will build chemical compounds using jelly beans and toothpicks to visually balance chemical equations.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Nancy H. Sanders.

Confirming and visualizing Lewis dot structures

With this activity, students can calculate and visualize the atomic and molecular structures of bonds and lone pairs in the molecule methanol (methyl alcohol, CH3OH).

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Bob Gotwals.

"A Society of Patriotic Ladies"

In Revolutionary North Carolina, page 2.8

1775 cartoon, published in a London newspaper, satirizing the "Edenton Tea Party" at which prominent North Carolina women signed a petition supporting the American cause. Includes historical commentary.

Format: cartoon

History of atomic theory

This lesson is developed for a regular low level physical science class. In small groups, students will use media and written script to learn and teach each other about major contributions to the development of the atomic theory.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Development and Science)

By Anya Childs and Rhonda Garrett.

Lactase enzyme lab

This lab will examine the specificity of an enzyme (lactase) to a specific substrate (lactose). Students will observe the actions of the enzyme and how shape is important to enzyme reactions.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Bert Wartski.

Atomic spectra and the Bohr model

Students view continuous spectra from incandescent and fluorescent lights and line spectra of selected elements. Students relate energy to frequency of light seen in the spectra. The presence of only certain lines in atomic spectra is related to Bohr's model of the atom. In a second experiment, students determine electron energies in the hydrogen atom.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Lisa Bacon.

The process of archaeology

In Prehistory, contact, and the Lost Colony, page 2.11

Archaeologists use several processes to address questions about the past. They may gather new data by conducting regional surveys to locate archaeological sites. Occasionally sites are partially or completely excavated to address specific research questions or to salvage information prior to disturbance by a development project. All data recovered are thoroughly analyzed following scientific inquiry procedures before conclusions are reached.

Format: article

Resources on the web

Exploring the Nanoworld

An introduction to the "tools that let us "see" atoms, manipulate them, and create nano-architectural wonders." (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: University of Wisconsin - Madison Materials Research Science & Engineering Center

Temperature changes everything

The primary purpose of these activities is to introduce the students to the concept that temperature causes molecules and atoms to move faster and farther apart, which in turn causes the change from solid to liquid, and liquid to gas. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Science Vocabulary Hangman

This addictive game takes on a new life on the Internet. Choose from dozens of thematic lists in math, genetics, astronomy, the scientific process, atoms, chemistry, the elements, meteorology, oceanography, state capitals, and more. Teachers can create their... (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Jefferson Lab

The Atoms Family

Contains educational activities relating to different forms of energy and they are presented by famous horror characters. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Miami Museum of Science

Rader's Chem4Kids

Find the basic principles of chemistry along with activities and games. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Andrew Radar Studios

Jefferson Lab: Science Education

Online activities and references for middle school students on atoms, the elements, math, and more. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Jefferson Lab

Introducing atoms

In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students will be asked to review websites to learn about the atom's basic structure and the positive and negative charges of its subparticles. This is the first of a series of four lessons about static electricity. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bill Nye, Science Guy

Bill Nye is the enthusiastic, bow-tied scientist on the Public Broadcasting System. At this site you will find information about Bill Nye, a question of the week, and memos from Bill in the U-Nye-Verse section. When this site was cataloged this memo contained... (Learn more)

Format: website

Provided by: Nye Labs

The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

Build your lightbulb! Find out about the invention of the electric guitar! Learn about the snowboard built for people who have a physical disability. Features online exhibits, educational materials, collections from the archives, and the audio and video clips.... (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Lemelson Center at the Smithsonian Institution