Project Description

Chemistry Chaos

Colour changes, smoke, fizz and foam! Everything in our world is made up of chemicals. Explore chemical reactions, physical changes and more.

  • Level: Available in a junior and middle/senior school format.

  • Duration: Available in a 60 or 90 minute format. For level 1-6 we recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow.

  • Numbers: Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children. However, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.

  • State: VIC, NSW & QLD

Learning Outcomes

  • What is a chemical? Our whole world is made up of chemicals.

  • Natural and man-made polymer chemicals, and their special properties. Real life uses of polymer chemicals and materials.

  • The difference between chemical reactions and physical changes. How to control the rate of a chemical reaction. Types of chemical reactions (e.g., endothermic and exothermic).

  • How to identify acids and bases using indicators. Combining acids and bases to alter pH and neutralize solutions. Using litmus paper as an indicator in real life.

  • Laboratory techniques, such as organisation, accuracy, measurement, use of equipment, and cross contamination.

  • Scientific method and building science vocabulary.

Activities

  • Polymer material properties demonstration including an optical illusion with disappearing polymers.

  • Each student grows a polymer bead to keep.
  • Small group exploration of a real life polymer, and how it responds to water.

  • Demonstration of temporary physical change vs. a powerful popping chemical change. Discussion of the new chemical made.
  • Students mix a solid and liquid together resulting in a exciting endothermic chemical reaction.
  • Students use an indicator to identify acid and base chemicals. They mix acid and bases to alter pH.

90 minute workshops also include these activities:

  • Demonstration of mixing two chemicals together resulting in a physical change, exploring density changes specifically.

  • Demonstration of how to control the rate of chemical reactions.

Victorian Curriculum Links

  • Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (VCSSU044)

  • Everyday materials can be physically changed or combined with other materials in a variety of ways for particular purposes (VCSSU045)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

  • Compare observations and predictions with those of others (VCSIS054)

  • People use science in their daily lives (VCSSU041)

NSW Curriculum Links

  • Identifies that objects are made of materials that have observable properties (STe-4MW-ST)

  • Identifies that materials can be changed or combined (ST1-6MW-S)

  • Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations (ST2-1WS-S)

Australian Curriculum Links

  • Objects are made of materials that have observable properties. (ACSSU003)

  • Everyday materials can be physically changed or combined with other materials in a variety of ways for particular purposes (ACSSU018)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions  (ACSIS025)

  • Compare observations and predictions with those of others. (ACSIS041)

  • People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE035)

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SCHOOL FEEDBACK

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The workshop was great. The kids and parents loved it, and Belinda was excellent. 😊I will be booking you in for some more workshops

Haberfield Library Fantastic Forces holiday workshop October 10, 2024

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This is my favourite experience for the year as it’s real genuine hands on learning. Students are super engaged and remember the clear age-appropriate explanations. It forms the basis for our whole unit. Presenter was brilliant.

Kath @ Mount View Primary School Forces in Action SNR workshops October 10, 2024

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Amazing experience. Students thoroughly enjoyed the activities and Belinda was fantastic!

Ainna @ Mount Sinai College Living Things SNR workshops September 26, 2024

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