• Field Trip

    More than 250 interactive science, technology, energy and health exhibits await students of all ages.  We’re experts at making sure that bringing your group to the Museum is smooth sailing all the way. Discounted admission for groups of 20 or more!

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  • ScienceWorks

    Your students become scientists during our 50-minute ScienceWorks Labs that provide hands-on experience with a variety of topics identified in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.  Each lab includes pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities.  Labs are available year-round for preschool to middle school students.

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  • Outreach

    It's Science on Wheels: We bring the Museum to you!  We offer fun, inquiry-based programs for the students in your classroom, library, festival or youth center! All programs address objectives outlined in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and include pre- and post-visit activities.

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  • Series Outreach

    We bring science activities, writing exercises, and academic confidence to your students. Our programs are proven to correlate with a rise in Science MEAP scores among participating students. Each program is a series of workshops led by a highly qualified teacher and aligns with MI Grade Level Content Expectations.  All materials are provided.

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  • Distance Learning

    Our educators use videoconferencing to engage your students in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Program kits sent to classroom teachers include nearly everything you need for experiments. Kits are yours to keep! All programs address National Science Education Standards and align with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.

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  • Professional Development

    Join us for fast-paced, hands-on teacher workshops that provide elementary and middle school educators with new hands-on tools for incorporating interactive science and math activities into your classroom.  Join us for professional development opportunities both at the museum and at your school.

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  • Summer of Science

     

    Whether you’re with a group or your family, explore over 250 exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experience a unique Summer ScienceWorks Lab. Visit the Museum and fill your summer with science!

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  • Summer Camp

    Explore week-long science and math activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and community collaborators.  Elementary and middle school children can investigate a different theme each week through hands-on and engaging fun.

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  • Birthday Parties

    What do you get when you mix one part science, one part fun, and one part celebration? A birthday party at the Museum! Experience a birthday full of discovery by exploring more than 250 exhibits and experimenting with a hands-on activity. Celebrate in a unique and interactive environment to make your special day really special!

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Back to Programs

WORKSHOP Chemistry

Outreach Workshop: Chemistry

Awaken the chemist in you. Students explore states of matter and what happens when you go between them. They’ll learn the difference between a physical and a chemical change.

Price

$300 - Includes two 50-minute workshops.  Additional workshops $125 each.

Register for an Outreach Workshop today!

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

  • Demonstrate the ability to sort objects according to observable attributes such as color, shape, size, sinking or floating. (P.PM.01.11)
  • Demonstrate that water as a solid keeps its own shape (ice). (P.PM.01.21)
  • Demonstrate that water as a liquid takes on the shape of various containers. (P.PM.01.22)
  • Describe the properties (hard, visible, freezing, ice) of water as a solid (ice, snow, iceberg, sleet, hail). (E.FE.02.14)
  • Measure the volume of liquids using common measuring tools (graduated measuring cups, measuring spoons, graduated cylinders, and beakers). (P.PM.02.14)
  • Explain how matter can change from one state (liquid, solid, gas) to another by heating and cooling. (P.CM.04.11)
  • Compare and contrast the states (solids, liquids, gases) of matter. (P.PM.04.23)
  • Describe and illustrate changes in state, in terms of the arrangement and relative motion of the atoms or molecules. (P.CM.06.11)
  • Explain how mass is conserved as a substance changes from state to state in a closed system. (P.CM.06.12)

Chemistry Pre-visit Vocabulary

Gas: A state of matter where the molecules are loosely packed, taking up the entire space of their container.

Liquid: A state of matter between solids and gasses where the molecules spread out to take the shape of the bottom of their container.

Solid: A state of matter where all the molecules are tightly packed, resulting in a rigid shape.

Molecule: The smallest particle of any substance that retains the same characteristics.

Acidic: Having a pH less than 7.0.

Basic: Having a pH greater than 7.0.

Chemical Change: A change in the chemical make-up of an object or substance, such as wood burning. Chemical changes cannot be reversed.

Element: A substance of matter than cannot be chemically broken down into a similar substance. These are the basic building blocks of molecules.

Energy: The capacity to do work.

Matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Neutral: Having a pH equal to 7.0.

Periodic Table: A chart showing all of the known elements ordered by their atomic weights.

pH Scale: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity (how basic) of a substance. pH stands for the “potential of Hydrogen”.

Physical Change: A change in the physical structure of an object or substance, such as ice melting to liquid water. Physical changes can readily be reversed.

States of Matter: The physical arrangement of molecules in a substance or object. There are three main states of matter.

Surface Tension: The tendency of molecules to stick to or adhere to other molecules on the surface of a liquid, resulting in a pseudo-skin.

Vibration: Rapid back-and-forth movement of molecules.

Chemistry Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities provide your students with an opportunity to review workshop-presented concepts and introduce related subjects. Below you will find a classroom extension activity and a list of suggested resources for further exploration. We hope that you enjoyed our Outreach Hands-On Workshop and we look forward to visiting your students again!

Hands-on Activity: Floating Bubbles

Materials

  • 1 large, clear container (like an empty aquarium)
  • 1 cup of vinegar
  • ½ cup of baking soda
  • Bubble solution
  • Bubble wand
  • Empty bowl

Procedure

  1. Place the aquarium in a still area.
  2. Place the empty bowl inside the aquarium.
  3. Pour the baking soda into the bowl.
  4. Pour the vinegar into the baking soda. You’ll notice it immediately begins to fizz.
  5. Allow the solution to fizzle out for a few minutes.
  6. Slowly blow a few bubbles into the fish tank. Be careful to not blow directly into the tank.
  7. Observe your bubbles.

Discussion

Most everyone has, or will have, made a volcano at some point. The two main ingredients are the same as in this one. The vinegar and baking soda undergo a chemical change when mixed together, releasing carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is denser (heavier) than regular air. The aquarium traps the CO2, not allowing it to spread out in the room. The bubbles are full of air. They float on the invisible barrier between levels because they are less dense than the CO2.

A variation of this experiment can be done with dry ice. Using dry ice also allows you to discuss the process called sublimation, a process during which a substance goes straight from a solid to a gas. Carefully (it is cold), place a few chunks of dry ice in the bottom of your aquarium loosely cover the lid for about an hour. It’s important to not create a seal because pressure will build up quickly. After a while, you should be able to blow bubbles onto the surface of this CO2 layer. You can see this at work on a sunny day with lots of snow.

Suggested Resources

Books

VanCleave, Janice. Janice VanCleave’s Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work. Wiley. 1989.

Newmark, Ann and Laura Buller. Chemistry. DK Children. 2005.

Cooper, Christopher. Eyewitness: Matter. DK Children. 1999.

Rohrig, Brian. 150 Captivating Chemistry Experiments Using Household Substances. FizzBang Science. 2002.

Internet

Rader’s CHEM4KIDS

Water Experiments

States of Matter

Elementary Science: Matter

WORKSHOP Chemistry

Outreach

Library, School

50 minutes

K-2nd, 3-5th

30

Physical Sciences