Exciting Chemistry Experiments to Do at Home (Flex)

Introduction:
Can you move objects without touching them? Can you make a liquid change colors and then make the color disappear?  Can you pour water to make an ice sculpture? In this class you will learn how to do these things and more!

Description:
In this Flex class, students will learn about a variety of chemistry topics and then perform easy-to-do experiments using materials found in their homes at their own pace.  Each week students will watch a slide show, which explains the chemistry concept and provides details on how to set up the experiments for that week. Because this is a Flex Class, there are NO LIVE CLASSES.  All the lessons are pre-recorded and posted in the Classroom.  Students will be provided a worksheet each week detailing the instructions for the experiments and provides data tables in which to record data. The worksheet will also explain what information students need to post in the Outschool Classroom by the end of the week in order to interact with other students and demonstrate participation in the class. 

Students Interaction:
Each week students will be asked to participate and interact with the other students. During the videos that students watch, there will be pauses in order to ask students questions.  Students will respond to these questions by posting their answers in the Classroom under the post for that week’s lesson.  Examples include: posting a hypothesis, a question about prior knowledge, an observation, and possible explanations for an observation.

For some lessons, students will be asked to post pictures or videos of their experiments to share with the class.  In addition students will be asked to comment on a video posted by at least one other student.  For some lessons, they will be asked to upload a copy of their results to share with the class so that the class data can be used to draw conclusions.  Students will be asked to explain what worked, what problems they encountered, and possible sources of error.  There will be occasional posts asking students to participate in a game, challenge or scavenger hunt to locate an in their homes that models the concept being taught. 

Students will receive weekly feedback from me about their videos, hypotheses, data comments and conclusions.  I will be available to help students who need additional support or help with their experiments. Students who feel they need additional assistance can request a live meeting with me and I will be happy to try to arrange it.

Topics and Experiments:
 Week 1: Electrostatics
	Magic Tape
	Move objects without touching them
	Flying Alien

Week 2: Chromatography
	Separating Leaf Pigments
	Paper Chromatography
	Watercolor Marker Flowers

Week 3: Appearing and Disappearing Color 
	Secret spy note
	Easy Come Easy Go
	Iodine clock reaction

Week 4: Electrochemistry
	Electroplating
	Electrolysis

Week 5: Acids and Bases

Week 6: Elephant toothpaste

Week 7: Surface tension Fun
	Motorless boat
	Milk Swirls
        Floating Paper Clips

Week 8: Cartesian diver 

Week 9: Fun with Polymers
	Balloon Shishkabob
	Zip-Lock Bag Pincushion
	Orange Peels of Doom
	Disappearing Water
	
Week 10: Water Stalagmites

Week 11: Density Column

Week 12: Let’s Make Ice Cream

Supplies Needed:
Please see the supply list section for a list of materials needed each week.