How do you design a STEM activity to teach chemical reactions to middle school students?

Shift the focus of some activities to real-world applications of chemical reactions. For instance, explore how chemical reactions are used in medicine for drug development or in technology for creating new materials. This can help students appreciate the relevance of chemistry in everyday life.

Select a chemical reaction topic suitable for middle schoolers, like baking soda and vinegar reaction. Pose a question, such as "What happens when baking soda and vinegar mix?"

Collect materials like baking soda, vinegar, balloons, and bottles. Plan step-by-step procedures for the experiment, ensuring safety measures are in place.

Encourage the selection of environmentally friendly materials and the minimization of waste in the planning stage. This could involve choosing biodegradable or recyclable materials and designing experiments that require smaller quantities of chemicals.

Incorporate interactive learning platforms that allow students to manipulate variables and see real-time changes in chemical reactions. Tools like virtual labs or simulation software can provide a hands-on learning experience that is both safe and informative.

Students remember concepts and vocab better with mnemonic devices. For example, the saying "Happy Henry Likes Beets But Could Not Obtain Flour" could help students remember the first 9 elements of the periodic table. H - hydrogen He - helium Li - lithium Be - beryllium B - boron C - carbon N - nitrogen O - oxygen F - fluorine

Introduce students to concepts like reactants, products, and chemical changes. Define vocabulary terms like "chemical reaction" and "gas production" using age-appropriate language.

Guide students through the experiment, allowing them to mix baking soda and vinegar in bottles and observe balloon inflation due to gas production. Encourage them to record observations and measurements.

Help students analyze their data, discussing observations and connecting them to chemical reaction concepts. Guide them in drawing conclusions about the reaction's outcomes.

Provide opportunities for students to extend their learning, such as exploring other chemical reactions or discussing real-world applications. Encourage them to apply their knowledge in practical contexts.

Connect chemical reactions to real-world scenarios to illustrate their relevance. For example, explain how rusting of iron occurs through a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air, and demonstrate it with a simple experiment using steel wool, water, and salt. This method helps students see the practical implications of what they are learning, fostering a deeper connection with the subject. Integrate technology into the lesson, such as using apps or online simulations that allow students to model chemical reactions. These tools can provide a safe and detailed visualization of reactions that are too dangerous or complex to perform in the classroom.

Safety precautions: Emphasize safety measures during the experiment, including wearing safety goggles and handling chemicals responsibly. Hands-on engagement: Foster hands-on learning by allowing students to actively participate in the experiment and manipulate materials. Differentiation: Adapt the activity to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities, providing additional support or challenges as needed. Integration: Explore connections between chemical reactions and other STEM disciplines, such as biology and environmental science, to foster interdisciplinary understanding.

The more hands-on the better. I still remember doing science experiments in my middle school days because they were so much fun. It may have been as basic as potatoes, sugar water, and pH strips, but the impact was lasting.