Grades: 6-9
Length: 8/20 Minute
Rights: Annual Lease
This eight-part middle school science series teaches the essentials of chemistry to students in grades 6 to 9. Each program features "You Decide!" questions, and an on-screen quiz, and is accompanied by a teacher and student guide with assessment tests, labs, activities and video scripts. All programs cover the major chemistry topics outlined in the National Science Education Standards and AAAS Benchmarks for Science. In addition, all programs are correlated to the Virginia standards, as well as the National Science Education Standards.
Block Feed
Thursday 2/5/09 2:00-4:00 a.m. #1-6
Tuesday 2/10/09 2:00-2:40 a.m. #7-8
1. What is Matter? In this wonderful introduction to the nature of matter, students will explore how their entire lives depend on and interact with matter. The program vividly demonstrates some of the physical and chemical properties of matter. Special attention is paid to the ways matter is measured. Length, mass, weight, volume of common everyday matter is explored. Students are also exposed to the metric system in describing matter. Other terminology and concepts conveyed include: plasma, crystalline and amorphous solids, viscosity, freezing, vaporization, evaporation and condensation. Modules: What is Matter?, Properties of Matter, Measuring Matter, Measuring Length, Mass and Weight, Weighing Objects, Measuring Volume, Density.
2. Solids, Liquids & Gases. What are the differences between solids, liquids and gases? In this program students will see real-life examples of the different phases of matter. Colorful animations illustrate how these states differ in the movement of particles. The many different types of phase changes are graphically displayed. Other terminology and concepts conveyed include: plasma, crystalline and amorphous solids, viscosity, freezing, vaporization, evaporation and condensation. Modules: Matter, Phases of Matter, Solids, Liquids, Gases, Gases in Action, Phase Changes, Plasma.
3. Elements, Compounds & Liquids. This video explains the vital role elements and compounds play in making up matter. Vivid animations make hard to understand concepts come alive. Everyday examples of different types of mixtures help students realize the important role they play in our lives. Terminology and concepts covered include: elements, compounds, homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, colloid, suspension, solution, solvent, and solute. Modules: Small Particles, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Types of Mixtures, Solutions, Solutions in Action.
4. Atoms. This video helps to make the abstract concept of atoms become understandable to students. The major scientific breakthroughs which contribute to our understanding of atoms are discussed. Colorful diagrams and animations describe the basic structure of atoms. Atomic number and atom mass are also discussed. Terminology and concepts covered include: nucleus, neutron, protron, electron, energy level, electron cloud, atomic mass unit, and isotope. Modules: Small Particles, Early Ideas About Atoms, Thomson’s Model of Atoms, Rutherford’s Model of the Atom, Bohr Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, The Nucleus, Isotopes, Atomic Mass, Electrons.
5. The Periodic Table. This program makes the modern periodic table come alive to students. Numerous real-life examples of elements are exemplified in the table. Animations and graphics illustrate concepts not easily achieved through other instructional strategies. Specific patterns in the periodic table are highlighted. Terminology conveyed in the program include: atomic structure, atomic number, atomic mass, periods, and families. Modules: Particles in Matter, Elements and Atoms, Inside the Atom, Atomic Number, Mass Number and Atomic Mass, Classifying Elements, The Modern Periodic Table, Patterns in the Modern Periodic Table.
6. Bonding. The process of chemical bonding is described and illustrated through engaging live-action footage, and supported by vivid animations. The role atomic structure plays in the process of bonding is described. Different examples of chemical bonding including ionic bonds, and metallic bonds are illustrated. Attention is given to explaining how specific bonds affect the characteristics of matter. Terminology includes: element, atomic structure, energy level, valence electrons, ionic bonds, crystal lattice, covalen bond, and metallic bond. Modules: Elements and Compounds, Inside Atoms, Chemical Bonding, Electrons and Bonding, Ionic Bonds, Ionic Bonding in Action, Covalent Bonds, Metallic Bonds. Modules: Elements and Compound, Inside Atoms, Chemical Bonding, Electrons and Bonding, Ionic Bonds, Ionic Bonding in Action, Covalent Bonds, Metallic Bonds.
7. Reactions. Chemical interacting with each other are one of the most fascinating topics in chemistry. Fireworks, burning flares, and rusting all illustrate chemical reactions. The different types of reactions are described, as well as the process of balancing chemical equations. Concepts and terminology covered include: chemical equations, law of conservation of mass, decomposition and synthesis reactions, replacement reactions, and reaction rates. Modules: Evidence of Chemical Reactions, Chemical Reactions in Action.
8. Families Of Chemical Compounds. In this program students will see how scientists place many chemical compounds in families to help make order and to study them better. Acids and bases will be explored, emphasizing their nature and common everyday uses. Some carbon compounds are explored, as are examples of hydrocarbons. Colorful animations, vivid graphics, and live action footage help bring compounds to life for students. Concepts and terminology covered in the program include: acid, base, pH, salt isomer, carbon, and hydrocarbon.