Everything is chemistry! In this project, youth discover the properties of matter, the way atoms interact to create different chemical reactions, and how chemistry is one of the foundational sciences in our everyday lives.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about the states of matter and their properties
- Understand the basics of chemical reactions between acids and bases
- Discover the everyday chemistry that makes our modern lives possible
- Learn about polymers, plastics, and the advances in chemistry being used to help reduce waste and landfill space
4-H Chemistry Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry
Join the Terrestrial Alien Defense Academy and figure out how to outsmart the aliens by doing experiments in your kitchen. Learn about what matter is and how it changes form; explore the different properties of matter; find out about acids and bases; and discover how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in cool tests! Designed for beginners, but appropriate for all levels.
4-H Polymers: Be a Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World
Be a 4-H Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World is an inquiry-based science curriculum focusing on the following concepts: materials; plastics; the three R’s: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle; the work of scientists and engineers. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions, sorting and classifying, and communicating.
The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Modules also include a “Science At Home” activity to be completed by parents/other adults and children at home. Grades K-2, ages 5-8.
Sustainable Polymers: Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World
This is a 4-H STEM Curriculum for Grades 3-5 (8 to 12 year olds). The themes of these modules touch on the prevalence and impact of plastics in everyday life. Plastics are versatile materials that come in different shapes, sizes, and exhibit different material properties. Scientist and engineers are working on new ways to create, use, and recycle plastics, so we can use plastics for their many advantages and lessen their effects on our environment.
The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observations, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Each module will include “Tips for Facilitators” and the Science and Engineering Practices, as well as opportunities to use “I Wonder” Boards. In addition, these modules incorporate the SciGirls Strategies for gender equitable STEM learning. Modules also include “Science At Home” activities that may be completed by parents/other adults and children at home.
Sustainable Polymers: Taking Action to Solve the Challenge of Plastics
This is a 4-H STEM Curriculum for Grades 6-8 (11 to 14 year olds). This is a youth-driven curriculum focusing on the use and impacts of plastics and sustainability. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observations, asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and communicating. The curriculum contains three learning phases/modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). In each phase, youth will explore polymer science content through a guided activity and then become change agents through youth-driven projects.
This curriculum is also available as a series of digital downloads from 4-HPolymers.org.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Links
Activity Ideas
Inquiry in Action: K-5 science lessons about science in everyday life – American Chemical Society
4-H Friday Fun! Drops on a Penny – The University of Maine (YouTube video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Sara King, Extension Professional with the 4-H Youth Development Program (Oxford County), as she conducts an experiment about the cohesion of molecules and measuring surface tension. Materials needed: a penny (or other coins), a cup of water, a pipette or eyedropper, a flat surface that can get wet, paper towels to clean up, dish soap (optional) and other liquids (optional).
Produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H.
The PDF instructions are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Changing Matter: Dry Ice – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth gain an introductory understanding of how matter changes from one state to another by exploring the behavior of dry ice through dry ice tricks and making root beer.
Pop the Bag – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth learn how matter (solid, liquid, gas) can change form by mixing two common household substances to cause a chemical reaction that creates a third substance.
Egg Coloring Science – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth learn about acid-base reactions and use this knowledge to test different household substances to dye eggs and observe chemical changes.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Materials Science Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
4hpolymers.org hosts an inquiry-based science curriculum in sustainable polymer science – engaging youth as change agents to care for the environment, to develop solutions to our plastics problems, and to create a sustainable future.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
The Nucleus: Crash Course Chemistry #1 (YouTube video)
Hank does his best to convince us that chemistry is not torture, but is instead the amazing and beautiful science of stuff. Chemistry can tell us how three tiny particles – the proton, neutron, and electron – come together in trillions of combinations to form … everything. In this inaugural episode of Crash Course Chemistry, we start out with one of the biggest ideas in chemistry ever – stuff is made from atoms. More specifically, we learn about the properties of the nucleus and why they are important to defining what an atom actually is.
The full Crash Course Chemistry YouTube playlist can be found here. It consists of 46 videos on various principles and concepts in chemistry.
What is Organic Chemistry? Crash Course Organic Chemistry #1 (YouTube video)
Organic chemistry is pretty much everywhere! In this episode of Crash Course Organic Chemistry, we’re talking about the amazing diversity among organic molecules. We’ll learn about the origins of organic chemistry, how to write Lewis structures, condensed structures, and skeletal formulas, and what gross organic compound the Romans used to dye their fabrics pretty colors.
The full Crash Course Organic Chemistry YouTube playlist can be found here. It consists of 50 videos on several topics in the field.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
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Chemical reactions are all around us. In this fun chemical reaction experiment, kids will learn firsthand how they work as they create a colorful foaming fountain of bubbles by adding yeast to hydrogen peroxide. Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.
Fruit bowls are brimming with way more than just delicious flavor – they also have potential electricity. That’s because each fruit can be a key component in a homemade battery. This 4‑H STEM Lab activity will teach you the key parts of a battery and the chemical reaction that makes it possible! You can even try to break a Guinness World Record (instructions are included below). Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.