1: Unit 1 Measuring Matter and Energy
1.1: Lesson 1: Investigating Matter and Energy
Heat Transfer by Conduction
一个绝缘的热水被连接到一个烧杯beaker of cold water with a conducting bar, and over time the temperatures of the beakers equalize as heat is transferred through the bar. Four materials (aluminum, copper, steel, and glass) are available for the bar.5 Minute Preview
Measuring Volume
使用bea测量液体和固体的体积kers, graduated cylinders, overflow cups, and rulers. Water can be poured from one container to another and objects can be added to containers. A pipette can be used to transfer small amounts of water, and a magnifier can be used to observe the meniscus in a graduated cylinder. Test your volume-measurement skills in the "Practice" mode of the Gizmo.5 Minute Preview
Unit Conversions
Use unit conversion tiles to convert from one unit to another. Tiles can be flipped to cancel units. Convert between metric units or between metric and U.S. customary units. Solve distance, time, speed, mass, volume, and density problems.5 Minute Preview
Unit Conversions 2 - Scientific Notation and Significant Digits
Use the Unit Conversions Gizmo to explore the concepts of scientific notation and significant digits. Convert numbers to and from scientific notation. Determine the number of significant digits in a measured value and in a calculation.5 Minute Preview
1.2: Lesson 2: Identifying Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Chemical Changes
Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances. But how can you tell if a chemical change has occurred? Explore this question by observing and measuring a variety of chemical reactions. Along the way you will learn about chemical equations, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and conservation of matter.5 Minute Preview
Melting Points
Every substance has unique transition points, or temperatures at which one phase (solid, liquid, or gas) transitions to another. Use a realistic melting point apparatus to measure the melting points, boiling points, and/or sublimation points of different substances and observe what these phase changes look like at the microscopic level. Based on the transition points, make inferences about the relative strengths of the forces holding these substances together.5 Minute Preview
Phase Changes
Explore the relationship between molecular motion, temperature, and phase changes. Compare the molecular structure of solids, liquids, and gases. Graph temperature changes as ice is melted and water is boiled. Find the effect of altitude on phase changes. The starting temperature, ice volume, altitude, and rate of heating or cooling can be adjusted.5 Minute Preview
2: Unit 2: Heat and Energy in the Earth System
2.1: 1课:热能和的行为Matter
Boyle's Law and Charles's Law
Investigate the properties of an ideal gas by performing experiments in which the temperature is held constant (Boyle's Law), and others in which the pressure remains fixed (Charles's Law). The pressure is controlled through the placement of masses on the lid of the container, and temperature is controlled with an adjustable heat source. Gay-Lussac's law relating pressure to temperature can also be explored by keeping the volume constant.5 Minute Preview
Ideal Gas Law
Explore relationships between amount, temperature, pressure, and volume for an ideal gas in a chamber with a moveable piston. Discover rules of proportionality contained in Boyle's law, Charles's law, Avogadro's law, and Gay-Lussac's law. Use these relationships to derive the ideal gas law and calculate the value of the ideal gas constant.5 Minute Preview
Melting Points
Every substance has unique transition points, or temperatures at which one phase (solid, liquid, or gas) transitions to another. Use a realistic melting point apparatus to measure the melting points, boiling points, and/or sublimation points of different substances and observe what these phase changes look like at the microscopic level. Based on the transition points, make inferences about the relative strengths of the forces holding these substances together.5 Minute Preview
2.2: Lesson 2: Analyzing the Flow of Energy In Systems
Calorimetry Lab
Investigate how calorimetry can be used to find relative specific heat values when different substances are mixed with water. Modify initial mass and temperature values to see effects on the system. One or any combination of the substances can be mixed with water. A dynamic graph (temperature vs. time) shows temperatures of the individual substances after mixing.5 Minute Preview
Conduction and Convection
两个水瓶装的水,一个黄色的other blue. Set the starting temperature of each flask, choose a type of material to connect the flasks, and see how quickly the flasks heat up or cool down. The flasks can be connected with a hollow pipe, allowing the water in the flasks to mix, or a solid chunk that transfers heat but prevents mixing.5 Minute Preview
Diffusion
Explore the motion of particles as they bounce around from one side of a room to the other through an adjustable gap or partition. The mass of the particles can be adjusted, as well as the temperature of the room and the initial number of particles. In a real-world context, this can be used to learn about how odors travel, fluids move through gaps, the thermodynamics of gases, and statistical probability.5 Minute Preview
Energy Conversion in a System
A falling cylinder is attached to a rotating propeller that stirs and heats the water in a beaker. The mass and height of the cylinder, as well as the quantity and initial temperature of water can be adjusted. The temperature of the water is measured as energy is converted from one form to another.5 Minute Preview
2.3: Lesson 3: Energy Transfer in Earth's Interior
Convection Cells
Explore the causes of convection by heating liquid and observing the resulting motion. The location and intensity of the heat source (or sources) can be varied, as well as the viscosity of the liquid. Use a probe to measure temperature and density in different areas and observe the motion of molecules in the liquid. Then, explore real-world examples of convection cells in Earth's mantle, oceans, and atmosphere.5 Minute Preview
Plate Tectonics
Move the Earth's crust at various locations to observe the effects of the motion of the tectonic plates, including volcanic eruptions. Information about each of the major types of plate boundaries is shown, along with their locations on Earth.5 Minute Preview
3: Unit 3: Patterns in the Properties of Matter
3.1: Lesson 1: Modeling Atomic Structure
Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Shoot a stream of photons through a container of hydrogen gas. Observe how photons of certain energies are absorbed, causing the electron to move to different orbits. Build the spectrum of hydrogen based on photons that are absorbed and emitted.5 Minute Preview
Bohr Model: Introduction
Fire photons to determine the spectrum of a gas. Observe how an absorbed photon changes the orbit of an electron and how a photon is emitted from an excited electron. Calculate the energies of absorbed and emitted photons based on energy level diagrams. The light energy produced by the laser can be modulated, and a lamp can be used to view the entire absorption spectrum at once.5 Minute Preview
Electron Configuration
Create the electron configuration of any element by filling electron orbitals. Determine the relationship between electron configuration and atomic radius. Discover trends in atomic radii across periods and down families/groups of the periodic table.5 Minute Preview
Element Builder
Use protons, neutrons, and electrons to build elements. As the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons changes, information such as the name and symbol of the element, the Z, N, and A numbers, the electron dot diagram, and the group and period from the periodic table are shown. Each element is classified as a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal, and its state at room temperature is also given.5 Minute Preview
3.2: Lesson 2: Investigating Patterns in the Periodic Table
Electron Configuration
Create the electron configuration of any element by filling electron orbitals. Determine the relationship between electron configuration and atomic radius. Discover trends in atomic radii across periods and down families/groups of the periodic table.5 Minute Preview
Periodic Trends
Explore trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity in the periodic table. Measure atomic radius with a ruler and model ionization energy and electron affinity by exploring how easy it is to remove electrons and how strongly atoms attract additional electrons. View these properties on the whole periodic table to see how they vary across periods and down groups.5 Minute Preview
3.3: Lesson 3: The Arrangement of Atoms in Compounds
Covalent Bonds
Choose a substance, and then move electrons between atoms to form covalent bonds and build molecules. Observe the orbits of shared electrons in single, double, and triple covalent bonds. Compare the completed molecules to the corresponding Lewis diagrams.5 Minute Preview
Electrons and Chemical Reactions - High School
The Secret Service has arrested suspects accused of counterfeiting coins from 1915 valued at $50,000 each. The students act as a forensic scientist to investigate the crime scene and examine the evidence. Students learn about electrons and chemical reactions to recreate the methods used to make the coins and prepare evidence for the court case.Video Preview
Ionic Bonds
Simulate ionic bonds between a variety of metals and nonmetals. Select a metal and a nonmetal atom, and transfer electrons from one to the other. Observe the effect of gaining and losing electrons on charge, and rearrange the atoms to represent the molecular structure. Additional metal and nonmetal atoms can be added to the screen, and the resulting chemical formula can be displayed.5 Minute Preview
4: Unit 4: Chemical Attractions
4.1: Lesson 1: The Properties of Materials
Melting Points
Every substance has unique transition points, or temperatures at which one phase (solid, liquid, or gas) transitions to another. Use a realistic melting point apparatus to measure the melting points, boiling points, and/or sublimation points of different substances and observe what these phase changes look like at the microscopic level. Based on the transition points, make inferences about the relative strengths of the forces holding these substances together.5 Minute Preview
Polarity and Intermolecular Forces
Combine various metal and nonmetal atoms to observe how the electronegativity difference determines the polarity of chemical bonds. Place molecules into an electric field to experimentally determine if they are polar or nonpolar. Create different mixtures of polar and nonpolar molecules to explore the intermolecular forces that arise between them.5 Minute Preview
Sticky Molecules
Learn about molecular polarity and how polarity gives rise to intermolecular forces. Measure four macroscopic properties of liquids (cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary rise). Compare these properties for different liquids and relate them to whether the substances are polar or nonpolar.5 Minute Preview
4.2: Lesson 2: Cycles of Matter in Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
Balance and classify five types of chemical reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion. While balancing the reactions, the number of atoms on each side is presented as visual, histogram, and numerical data.5 Minute Preview
Chemical Changes
Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances. But how can you tell if a chemical change has occurred? Explore this question by observing and measuring a variety of chemical reactions. Along the way you will learn about chemical equations, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and conservation of matter.5 Minute Preview
Chemical Equations
Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.5 Minute Preview
Electrons and Chemical Reactions - High School
The Secret Service has arrested suspects accused of counterfeiting coins from 1915 valued at $50,000 each. The students act as a forensic scientist to investigate the crime scene and examine the evidence. Students learn about electrons and chemical reactions to recreate the methods used to make the coins and prepare evidence for the court case.Video Preview
Moles
Understand the definition of a mole and determine the Avogadro constant by adding atoms or formula units to a balance until the mass in grams is equal to the atomic or formula mass. Manipulate a conceptual model to understand how the number of particles, the number of moles, and the mass are related. Then use dimensional analysis to convert between particles, moles, and mass.5 Minute Preview
Stoichiometry
Solve problems in chemistry using dimensional analysis. Select appropriate tiles so that units in the question are converted into units of the answer. Tiles can be flipped, and answers can be calculated once the appropriate unit conversions have been applied.5 Minute Preview
Water Crisis - High School
There has been an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in a small town. This disease is caused by legionella bacteria that proliferate in contaminated water supplies. Students take on the role of an environmental chemist to investigate the source of legionella and use stoichiometry to decontaminate the water supply and remediate the disease outbreak.Video Preview
4.3: Lesson 3: Intermolecular Forces in Mixtures
Colligative Properties
Determine how the physical properties of a solvent are dependent on the number of solute particles present. Measure the vapor pressure, boiling point, freezing point, and osmotic pressure of pure water and a variety of solutions. Compare the effects of four solutes (sucrose, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride) on these physical properties.5 Minute Preview
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
Osmosis
Adjust the concentration of a solute on either side of a membrane in a cell and observe the system as it adjusts to the conditions through osmosis. The initial concentration of the solute can be manipulated, along with the volume of the cell.5 Minute Preview
Solubility and Temperature
Add varying amounts of a chemical to a beaker of water to create a solution, observe that the chemical dissolves in the water at first, and then measure the concentration of the solution at the saturation point. Either potassium nitrate or sodium chloride can be added to the water, and the temperature of the water can be adjusted.5 Minute Preview
5: Unit 5: Reaction Energy
5.1: Lesson 1: Energy in Chemical Bonds
Feel the Heat
Have you ever used a glove warmer to keep your hands warm? How about an instant cold pack to treat an injury? In the Feel the Heat Gizmo, create your own hot and cold packs using various salts dissolved in water and different bag materials. Learn about exothermic and endothermic processes and how energy is absorbed or released when bonds are broken and new bonds form.5 Minute Preview
Reaction Energy
Exothermic chemical reactions release energy, while endothermic reactions absorb energy. But what causes some reactions to be exothermic, and others to be endothermic? In this simulation, compare the energy absorbed in breaking bonds to the energy released in forming bonds to determine if a reaction will be exothermic or endothermic.5 Minute Preview
5.2: Lesson 2: Reaction Rates
Collision Theory
Observe a chemical reaction with and without a catalyst. Determine the effects of concentration, temperature, surface area, and catalysts on reaction rates. Reactant and product concentrations through time are recorded, and the speed of the simulation can be adjusted by the user.5 Minute Preview
6: Unit 6: Human Activity and Earth's Atmosphere
6.2: Lesson 2: Energy Flows and Feedback in the Earth System
Carbon Cycle
Follow the path of a carbon atom through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Manipulate a simplified model to see how human activities and other factors affect the amount of atmospheric carbon today and in the future.5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The level of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere at any given time can be adjusted, allowing the long-term effects to be investigated.5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect - Metric
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere can be adjusted through time, and the long-term effects can be investigated.5 Minute Preview
6.3: Lesson 3: Solutions to Environmental Problems
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
7: Unit 7: Chemical Equilibrium Systems
7.1: Lesson 1: The Nature of Chemical Equilibrium
Equilibrium and Concentration
Observe how reactants and products interact in reversible reactions. The initial amount of each substance can be manipulated, as well as the pressure on the chamber. The amounts, concentrations, and partial pressures of each reactant and product can be tracked over time as the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium.5 Minute Preview
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
7.2: Lesson 2: Equilibrium Systems
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
7.3: Lesson 3: Disrupting Equilibrium in the Ocean
Equilibrium and Concentration
Observe how reactants and products interact in reversible reactions. The initial amount of each substance can be manipulated, as well as the pressure on the chamber. The amounts, concentrations, and partial pressures of each reactant and product can be tracked over time as the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium.5 Minute Preview
Equilibrium and Pressure
Observe how reactants and products interact in reversible reactions. The amounts of each substance can be manipulated, as well as the pressure on the chamber. This lesson focuses on partial pressures, Dalton's law, and Le Chatelier's principle.5 Minute Preview
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
7.4: Lesson 4: Engineering Solutions to Ecosystem Disruption
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.Video Preview
How Free Gizmos Work
Start teaching with20-40 Free Gizmos.See the full list.
Accesslesson materialsfor Free Gizmos including teacher guides, lesson plans, and more.
All other Gizmos are limited to a5 Minute Previewand can only be used for 5 minutes a day.
Free Gizmos change each semester.Thenew collectionwill be available Jul 01, 2023.
About STEM Cases
Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.
Each STEM Case uses realtime reporting to show live student results.
Introduction to the Heatmap
STEM Cases take between 30-90 minutes for students to complete, depending on the case.
Student progress is automatically saved so that STEM Cases can be completed over multiple sessions.
Multiple grade-appropriate versions, or levels, exist for each STEM Case.
Each STEM Case level has an associated Handbook. These are interactive guides that focus on the science concepts underlying the case.
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