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High School
Chemistry 1/Chemistry 1 Honors (lab)
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Description: In this course, students will study of the foundations of chemistry, building on the concepts and scientific thinking developed in middle school science. Students use scientific inquiry and higher-order problem-solving as they explore the composition, properties, and changes of matter and their applications through interactive simulations, engineering solutions, and virtual and hands-on experiences. The scientific process is fully used and documented in lab investigations, giving students the skills they need to analyze data and make inferences about natural phenomena. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. Through phenomenon-based learning, students will be able to demonstrate a vast understanding of the importance of chemistry in the world, enabling them to apply these principles to their everyday lives and our global society.
Major Topics and Concepts
Segment One:
- Learn about the mathematical skills and measurement systems used in chemistry
- Interpret scientific data and explain relationships between variables based on data
- Follow the scientific method to conduct various laboratory investigations
- Explore the differences between all states of matter and the classification of matter
- Differentiate between physical and chemical properties and changes in matter
- Explore the development of the scientific model of atoms from investigations of the past
- Use the model of the atom to understand subatomic particles and read the periodic table
- Read the periodic table and determine the general properties of elements, groups, and families
- Utilize the periodic table as a fundamental tool for a variety of chemistry problems and applications
- Write electron configurations and draw orbital notation models for atoms
- Determine valence electrons and bonding properties of atoms
- Read, write, interpret, and model chemical formulas for ionic and covalent bond
- Compare the different intermolecular forces in compounds and model molecule structures
- Apply the law of conservation of mass to balance chemical equations
- Classify synthesis, decomposition, combustion, single and double replacement, and redox chemical reactions
- Compare the fundamental forces and chemical and nuclear reactions
Segment Two:
- Understand the use of the mole as a significant unit of measurement in chemistry applications
- Determine mass, molar mass, and number of particles for elements and compounds
- Use balanced chemical equations to determine mole ratios for stoichiometric calculations
- Perform a variety of stoichiometric calculations, including percent yield and limiting reactants
- Differentiate between the different forms of energy and the interaction between thermal energy and matter
- Describe the properties and behavior of matter in relation to kinetic theory
- Read, interpret, and construct heating and cooling curves
- Learn about and apply various gas law relationships and the ideal gas law
- Distinguish between endothermic and exothermic reactions and processes
- Explore the concepts of enthalpy and potential energy diagrams for chemical reactions
- Differentiate between open, closed, and isolated systems
- Explore the various factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions and the concept of dynamic equilibrium
- Apply Le Châtelier’s principle to predict the outcomes of stress on a reaction in equilibrium
- Understand how the various properties of water make it suitable for processes on Earth
- Perform molarity and dilution calculations
- Compare and contrast acids and bases and calculate the pH or pOH of a solution
Course Materials
Required Materials: Students will need a scientific or graphing calculator, access to a stovetop or heat source, various kitchen tools or pantry items, and common household tools or items. Please read the lab descriptions carefully for the necessary tools and supplies to be prepared.
Competencies
Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of matter by describing scientific measurement, explaining forms of energy, describing properties of matter, and summarizing changes in matter.
Atoms and Elements
Students will demonstrate an understanding of atoms and elements by summarizing atomic theory, describing characteristics of electrons, and explaining the elements of the periodic table.
Molecules and Compounds
Students will demonstrate an understanding of molecules and compounds by explaining characteristics of valence electrons, describing processes of bonding, and describing molecular structure and naming.
Chemical Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing the components and balancing of chemical equations, and comparing types of chemical reactions.
Stoichiometry
Students will demonstrate an understanding of stoichiometry by explaining the importance of the mole, describing the empirical formula, evaluating stoichiometry calculations, and explaining the application of stoichiometry.
Phases of Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the phases of matter by describing particle motion and energy, explaining the phase changes of matter, and describing gas laws.
Energy in Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of energy in reactions by describing energy in a system, explaining collision and chemical reactions rates, and explaining dynamic equilibrium.
Solutions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of solutions by summarizing properties of water, describing the concentrations of solutions, and explaining the properties of acids and bases.
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Projects allow students to demonstrate competence and understanding of concepts and skills by completing a career-related task. For example, the assignment might be to create a mural, a package design, a speech, a film review, or a movie set – you name it! These creative projects are about applying your learning acquired through in-depth research to real-world career tasks.
Each competency will be addressed through a project that is based on a real-life career task. Here are the careers you will explore: Animal Nutritionist, Graphic Designer, Nutrition Specialist, Greeting Card Designer, Fragrance Chemist, Baker, Maple Syrup Processor, and Plant Biologist.
Please also review the competency statements to learn more about the major topics and concepts covered in this offering.
Projects
Animal Nutritionist
You will take on the role of an animal nutritionist for an animal shelter tasked with planning meal kits for pets.
Graphic Designer
You will take on the role of a graphic designer for the Science History Institute, tasked with creating a digital collection to provide information on atoms and elements for the institute’s website.
Nutrition Specialist
You will take on the role of a nutrition specialist at an athletic club tasked with creating a hydration scorecard for gym members.
Greeting Card Designer
You will take on the role of a greeting card designer tasked with creating a set of clever and amusing greeting cards focused on chemical reactions and balancing chemical equations.
Fragrance Chemist
You will take on the role of a fragrance chemist for a novelty item manufacturer tasked with keeping track of and reporting all the calculations you use to create scents.
Baker
You will take on the role of a baker tasked with creating a high-altitude reference chart.
Maple Syrup Processor
You will take on the role of a maple syrup processor for a sugar shack tasked with creating a flowchart on the process of making maple syrup for your team of seasonal employees to use as a reference.
Plant Biologist
You will take on the role of a plant biologist working at a coffee company that specializes in creating optimal soil conditions for growing coffee. You are tasked with developing some quick-access resources for your team.
Competencies
Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of matter by describing scientific measurement, explaining forms of energy, describing properties of matter, and summarizing changes in matter.
Atoms and Elements
Students will demonstrate an understanding of atoms and elements by summarizing atomic theory, describing characteristics of electrons, and explaining the elements of the periodic table.
Molecules and Compounds
Students will demonstrate an understanding of molecules and compounds by explaining characteristics of valence electrons, describing processes of bonding, and describing molecular structure and naming.
Chemical Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing the components and balancing of chemical equations, and comparing types of chemical reactions.
Stoichiometry
Students will demonstrate an understanding of stoichiometry by explaining the importance of the mole, describing the empirical formula, evaluating stoichiometry calculations, and explaining the application of stoichiometry.
Phases of Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the phases of matter by describing particle motion and energy, explaining the phase changes of matter, and describing gas laws.
Energy in Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of energy in reactions by describing energy in a system, explaining collision and chemical reactions rates, and explaining dynamic equilibrium.
Solutions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of solutions by summarizing properties of water, describing the concentrations of solutions, and explaining the properties of acids and bases.
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Experiences allow you to explore a career field you’re curious about while mastering competencies for school credit. Through experiential learning, you will learn skills and apply them to tasks you would complete as part of a career rather than completing traditional assessments like essays or tests. During your Experience, you’ll work with a professional in the field to support your learning whom we call a “mentor.” You’ll earn a badge for your accomplishments to share on social media and higher education platforms, or with colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues to display your qualifications.
Here’s how Experiences work:
- Each competency you work on is addressed through a separate deliverable predetermined by you and your instructor.
- Guided learning for each module consists of research and/or work with a professional in the field. Your instructor will coach you through this process.
- Each module culminates in a final demonstration of understanding, which includes a deliverable and a discussion-based assessment with your instructor.
- Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re curious about a career in healthcare. You decide you’d like to learn about this career area, make a professional connection, earn a badge, and meet competencies for your 9th-grade English requirement. While enrolled in English 1 Experiences, you conduct research to better understand language and structure in writing. Then you may work with an Occupational Therapist to help apply your writing skills to the creation of an informational video about adaptive equipment for patients. The video aims to advise family members of patients regarding the use of accommodations and equipment to help patients perform daily tasks. Now you’ve earned the Language and Structure in Writing competency! This is just one example of the many ways Experiences can bridge competencies to careers.
Obtaining a Mentor: Prior to enrollment, please have an idea for a mentor in mind. We have partnered with hundreds of mentors you can work with during your Experience, who you can find in our Career Mentor Catalog here. Or, you may consult with our counseling department by emailing [email protected] for help in identifying one.
*A parent/guardian permission form and background check of the mentor are both required to work with mentors without parental supervision.
Competencies
Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of matter by describing scientific measurement, explaining forms of energy, describing properties of matter, and summarizing changes in matter.
Atoms and Elements
Students will demonstrate an understanding of atoms and elements by summarizing atomic theory, describing characteristics of electrons, and explaining the elements of the periodic table.
Molecules and Compounds
Students will demonstrate an understanding of molecules and compounds by explaining characteristics of valence electrons, describing processes of bonding, and describing molecular structure and naming.
Chemical Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing the components and balancing of chemical equations, and comparing types of chemical reactions.
Stoichiometry
Students will demonstrate an understanding of stoichiometry by explaining the importance of the mole, describing the empirical formula, evaluating stoichiometry calculations, and explaining the application of stoichiometry.
Phases of Matter
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the phases of matter by describing particle motion and energy, explaining the phase changes of matter, and describing gas laws.
Energy in Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of energy in reactions by describing energy in a system, explaining collision and chemical reactions rates, and explaining dynamic equilibrium.
Solutions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of solutions by summarizing properties of water, describing the concentrations of solutions, and explaining the properties of acids and bases.
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