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Homeschool Chemistry Experiments Using Household Materials

In this 12-week class, students will learn about the chemical behavior of atoms and matter through fun and engaging science experiments.
Elene Feigenbaum
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(134)
Class

What's included

12 live meetings
6 in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 7
Each week, students will explore a different area of chemistry through easy, fun and engaging experiments that use substances and materials found in most homes.  Each lessons begins with a question, discrepant event or scenario that assesses prior knowledge, creates connections and provokes the interest of the learners.  Through experimentation, observation and guided questions, students will learn to develop hypotheses, make observations, and draw conclusions.  Students will learn about dependent and independent variables as well as constants and controls as they learn how safely perform scientific experiments at home.  

This class will teach students about the structure of atoms, molecules, electrostatics, polarity of water, density, surface tension, electroplating, states of matter, non-Newtonian fluids, freezing point depression, polarity of molecules, acids, and bases, chromatography, and chemical reactions.

Students do not need to have any prior knowledge of chemistry before taking this course. For best learning and student involvement, students should check the supply list and have the materials ready when the class begins. A copy of the supply list is provided under "Learner Supply List" and is attached to the Welcome Post in the Classroom. 

Topics will include: 

September 12, 2022 - May the Force Be With You: Electrostatics
September 19 , 2022 -  Make a Density Column
September 26 - NO CLASS
September 3, 2022 - Make a Cartesian Diver
October 10, 2022 - NO CLASS
October 17, 2022 - NO CLASS
October 24, 2022 - Can you lift an ice cube with a string?
October 31, 2022- Electroplating a penny 
November 7, 2022 - Paper Chromatography
November 14, 2022 - Non-Newtonian Liquids (Oobleck)
November 21, 2022 - Cleaning Copper Pennies
November 28, 2022 - Detecting Acids and Bases with Red Cabbage Juice
December 5, 2022 - Elephant Toothpaste
December 12, 2022 - Surface Tension Fun
December 19, 2022 - Let's Make Ice Cream

Other Details

Supply List
Weekly Supply List

Sept 12: 2022 - Electrostatic Tape scotch tape
          plastic spoon
         balloon
         saran wrap
         various types of cloth (wool, silk, cotton) paper

Sept. 19 -  Make a Density Column
       Tall clear glass or graduated cylinder
      Several of the following liquids and small solids - more is better
        water
        food coloring (optional)
        vegetable oil
        baby oil
        mineral oil
        corn syrup (Karo syrup)
        honey
        pancake syrup
        sugar
        lamp oil (optional)
        rubbing alcohol
        rubber from pencil eraser
        penny, toothpick
        popcorn kernel
        small plastic object

Oct. 3, 2022 - Make a Cartesian Diver
       bendable straw
       2 small paper clips
       2 large paper clips
       empty plastic water bottle with cap
       small packets of ketchup or mustard (optional)
       water
       small cup
       scissors

Oct 24, 2022 - Can you lift an ice cube with a string?
       Ice cubes
       salt
       sugar
       plate
       string or thread
       scissors

Oct. 31, 2022- Electroplating a penny 
       AA Battery or 9V Battery
       2 wires with alligator clips or copper wires or other metal
       Tape
       cup with water
       salt 
       penny (or other copper coin or object)
       Second type of metal like paper clip, piece of zinc from a washer or  iron nai

Nov. 7, 2022 - Paper Chromatography
         2 tall plastic cups.
        white construction paper, notebook paper, coffee filter, or newspaper strip
        water
        water-based markers (black, or brown are best, vis-à-vis marker work well, not permanent markers)
        scotch tape
        pencil or popsicle stick
        scissors
        Paper towel

Nov, 14, 2022 - Non-Newtonian Liquids (Oobleck)
       2 cups cornstarch
       1 cup water
       bowl
       spoon
       food coloring (optional)

Nov 21, 2022 - Cleaning Copper Pennies
       dirty pennies
       plastic cup
       vinegar
       salt
       aluminum foil (optional)
       iron nail (optional)
      hydrogen peroxide (optional)

Nov 28, 2022 - Detecting Acids and Bases with Red Cabbage Juice
       several small clear plastic cups or small paint tray
       3-4 red (purple) cabbage leaves
       zip-lock bag
       warm water from sink
       lemon juice
       vinegar
       baking soda
       alkaline water
       any other liquid you want to test

Dec 5,  2022 - Elephant Toothpaste
        hydrogen peroxide(3% or 10%) or Clear Care Contact solution with hydrogen peroxide
        dish soap
        active dry yeast
        small bottle with a narrow opening like small water bottle
        food coloring (optional)
        bowl 

Dec 12, 2022 - Surface Tension Fun
       penny
       medicine dropper
       water
       bowl or plate
       paper clip
       dish soap
       toothpick
      pepper
      whole milk (works better than reduced fat milk)
      food coloring

Dec 19, 2022 - Let's Make Ice Cream
      1 Cup Whole milk or half and half
      ½ tsp Vanilla
      1 Tablespoons Sugar
       3 Cups of Ice 
      1/3 cup Kosher salt
      Large zip-lock bag 
      Small zip-lock bag 
      Dishpan or sink
      Gloves or towel
      Bowl 
      Spoon             
      Chocolate syrup (optional)
      Toppings (optional)
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
4.9
134reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
Master's Degree in Science from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Stern College for Women Yeshiva University
I have been a private school classroom science teacher for over thirty years.  I have a masters degree in chemistry and I love to teach children through hands-on inquiry-based experimentation. 

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Live Group Class
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$150

for 12 classes
1x per week, 12 weeks
30 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-12 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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