There isn't much money left in most 2014-2015 science department budgets. For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $19.46 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now!
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget
http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html
This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores. There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.
I recently viewed a 2012 movie by NOVA called “Hunting the Elements”. It is almost 2 hours long (1hr 53 min plus credits) but sections could be used in your class.
This is a movie about The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure. It is meant for a general audience and is probably best for an Introductory Chemistry course (it may not be useful for an advanced course).
The presentation mixes chemistry facts with various circumstances. Some of the topics include Atomic Structure, The Periodic Table (its history and facts), faster Reaction Rates in Explosions, the Body’s Use of the Elements, Nuclear Reactions and Isotopes.
The first 50 minutes focus on The Periodic Table. I realize that many classes range from 40 minutes to 55 minutes, so here are two options:
1. A 32 min 25 sec portion of the film could be from 16 min 50 sec to 49 min 50 sec.
2. A longer 40 minute segment is from 9 min 55 sec to 49 min 15 sec.
An 11 minute segment focusing on the rapid reactions of explosions runs from 47 min 40 sec to 58 min 0 sec.
The last 34 minutes (1 hr 18 min to 1 hr 52 min) are about Nuclear Reactions, Nuclear Energy and Isotopes.
You can go online to view the movie at pbs.org:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/hunting-elements.html
Lower down on this page are 17 links to explore. It could be an option for students seeking Extra Credit where they explore 3-5 of the links and report on what they find.
You can also view this movie on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JfOcnG6Yhw
I’d love to hear about your uses of this video and its website!
Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.
Have a good weekend!