Experiential Chemistry I is a self-guided curriculum designed to provide students with hands-on experience and practical knowledge in the field of chemistry. The curriculum has various at-home laboratory experiments and virtual activities that will help them deepen their understanding of chemical concepts and principles. By the end of the curriculum, students will have gained a solid foundation in chemistry and will be able to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
This curriculum is designed for all ages with the idea that ability and a thirst for knowledge isn’t always tied to age. However, I have marked objectives, lessons and activities that are at higher difficulty levels; the symbol 🔶 indicates a medium level of difficulty and🔺 indicates an advanced level.
Learning Objectives
The Scientific Method
Outline the historical timeline of scientific research and chemistry
Identify the different steps of experimental design
Explain how scientist answer questions and avoid bias
Describe different types of variables
Recognize units of measurement
Explain why the international units of measure (SI units) was invented
Optional
Select the right kind of graph based on type of data
Put data in tabular format
Identify the components of graphs
Conduct ecological studies🔺
Matter
Identify the parts of an atom
Learn how to read a periodic table🔶
Explain what periods and groups represent🔶
Identify inert elements (noble gasses), metals and non-metals🔶
Identify the different states of matter and how matter changes states
Describe the Law of Conservation of Mass🔶
Demonstrate how molecules and compounds are formed
Explain the different types of chemical bonds
Explain why bonding in water is unique
Optional
Explain how a molecule becomes polar🔶
Define cohesion and adhesion🔶
Describe what makes water unique when changing states🔶
Define an emulsifier 🔶
Explain the differences between polar and nonpolar bonds🔶
Define a dipole moment🔺
Liquids
Identify the main properties of liquids
Define what is a solution and a mixture
Describe examples and properties of solutions and mixtures
Explain solubility
Describe the changes in states of liquids and freezing and boiling points
Optional
Explain concentration of a liquid
Define density as the relationship between mass and volume🔶
Explain how the density of a liquid changes in certain conditions🔶
List the units of density🔶
Forms of Energy
List the different types of energy
Describe the difference between potential and kinetic energy
Calculate thermal energy
Explain the concept of temperature
Optional
Describe thermal equilibrium
Describe the three types of thermal energy transfer
Calculate the amount of heat transferred🔶
Identify different forms of stored chemical energy
Tell the difference between a physical and a chemical change
Describe the changes at boiling and freezing points
Explain the effects of solutes on temperature and changing states
Food Chemistry: Ice cream
List the ingredients of ice cream
Explain how ice cream is a mixture
Outline the stages of making ice cream
Define emulsifiers and stabilizers🔶
Explain the effects of freezing on ice cream crystallization and texture
Explain freezing point depression🔶
Optional
Compare ice cream to gelato, custard, sherbet and sorbet
Describe the effects of amounts of fat, protein and water content🔶
Chemical reactions
Identify the different types of chemical reactions
Describe how a molecule is made and also broken apart
Define enthalpy and entropy🔶
Describe endothermic and exothermic reactions🔶
Understand how potential energy is converted to chemical energy
Optional
Explain how activation energy allows chemical reactions to occur🔺
Describe what happens during the transition state🔺
Explain how catalysts can speed up a reaction rate🔺
Describe what is a mole and the conditions it is measured under 🔶
Understand how moles are used in calculations🔶
Practice how to balance a chemical equation🔶
Acid-Base Chemistry
Give examples of types of acids and bases
Define an acid and a base due to their relationship with water
Describe a neutralization reaction🔶
Define the pH scale and learn how to read a pH scale
Optional
Describe the components of a buffer🔶
Investigate solutions and buffers using a titration🔺
Understand how ocean acidification occurs🔺
Explain why sea shells are dissolving🔺
Describe the effect of temperature on dissolution🔺
Paleochemistry
Learn the research that is done with ice cores
Explain how ice cores can tell us about the past atmosphere and sea level rise
Understand how these finding support climate change research
Learn the elements that are most abundant in the different parts of the earth: mantle and crusts
Understand how rock identification can tell us about its past environment
Describe chemical weathering🔶
Describe the types of rocks and their chemical compositions
Identify where fossils and gemstones can be found
Explain the differences between physical and chemical weathering
Describe the three types of chemical weathering🔶
Optional
Describe the structures in a cave and how they are formed
Describe why Mars is red from comparing rover samples to Earth samples
Conduct an observational study investigating a geologic record from the macro to micro scale
Use rock features to identify past aquatic environments
Explain how iron becomes oxidized and changes color
Explain how ancient oceans are different today