Course Description
Prerequisite: none
Chemistry introduces students to fundamental principles of chemistry and how chemistry is applied in their everyday lives. Students will learn to see the world from a molecular perspective. A basic level of math (fractions, proportions, percents) is needed in problem-solving. Topics of study will include water chemistry, material science chemistry, petroleum chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and nuclear chemistry.
Core Curriculum Content Standards
Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (2023)
Physical Science
Grades 9-12
- Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.(3.2.9-12.A)
- Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.(3.2.9-12.B)
- Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.(3.2.9-12.C)
- Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.(3.2.9-12.D)
- Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.(3.2.9-12.G)
- Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.(3.2.9-12.H)
- Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.(3.2.9-12.O)
- Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative positions of particles (objects).(3.2.9-12.P)
- Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.(3.2.9-12.T)
- Evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.(3.2.9-12.W)
- Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.(3.2.9-12.X)
Earth and Space Science
Grades 9-12
- Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.(3.3.9-12.K)
- Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.(3.3.9-12.S)
- Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.(3.3.9-12.O)
Environmental Literacy & Sustainability
Grades 9-12
- Analyze and interpret how issues, trends, technologies, and policies impact agricultural, food, and environmental systems and resources.(3.4.9-12.A)
- Analyze and interpret how issues, trends, technologies, and policies impact watersheds and water resources.(3.4.9-12.C)
- Apply research and analytical skills to systematically investigate environmental issues ranging from local issues to those that are regional or global in scope.(3.4.9-12.D)
- Plan and conduct an investigation utilizing environmental data about a local environmental issue.(3.4.9-12.E)
- Analyze and evaluate how best resource management practices and environmental laws achieve sustainability of natural resources.(3.4.9-12.G)
Technology & Engineering
Grades 9-12
- Evaluate how technology and engineering advancements alter human health and capabilities.(3.5.9-12.E)
- Analyze and use relevant and appropriate design thinking processes to solve technological and engineering problems.(3.5.9-12.N)
Units
Unit #1 - Science and Equipment
Unit #2 - Water Chemistry
Unit #3 - Material Science Chemistry
Unit #4 - Petroleum Chemistry
Unit #5 - Atmospheric Chemistry
Unit #6 - Nuclear Chemistry (Time Permitting)
Course Resources
Chemistry in the Community: The American Chemical Society, 5th Edition. WH Freeman and Company, 2006
Science News: Magazine of the Society for Science.
Trout, Laura, ed (2012). POGIL: Activities for High School Chemistry
Vocabulary tools like Quizlet
www.flinnsci.com
Flinn Scientific Safety Contract
MIT Open Courseware Digital Lab Techniques Manual
https://www.compoundchem.com/
Colorname app
https://radiolab.org/
https://www.nist.gov/
https://teachchemistry.org
https://ptable.com
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://chemquiz.net/quizzes/
https://www.nde-ed.org/
https://phet.colorado.edu/
www.sciencenews.org
https://kcvs.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/@LookingGlassUniverse
https://www.douglaskrantz.com/
https://www.msichicago.org/play/goreact/
www.acs.org
https://pubs.acs.org/journal/jceda8
https://iupac.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@canadianspaceagency
https://www.youtube.com/@SciShow
https://www.scientificamerican.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@sciencefix
https://cen.acs.org/
https://www.nature.com/
https://www.schoolscience.co.uk/home
https://www.bu.edu/chemed/resources/beyond-bohr/
https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium
https://www.youtube.com/@physicsfootnotes6114
https://www.nasa.gov/
https://www.epa.gov/
https://www.dep.pa.gov/
https://www.vernier.com/
https://learn.concord.org
US Geological Survey’s Water School: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school
Lititz Borough Website: https://www.lititzborough.org/
Dig Into Mining: https://digintomining.com/
National Energy Education Development (NEED): https://www.need.org/
American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) Simulations: https://teachchemistry.org/classroom-resources/simulations
The Dynamic Periodic Table: https://ptable.com/?lang=en#Properties
