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Categories: Lab/Student Activity, Teacher Demonstration
Osmosis is the process by which the concentrations of two solutions, separated by a selectively permeable membrane, equalize by the movement of a solvent such as water. This demonstration shows that the ability of plant cells to absorb water is decreased by heating.... read moreCategories: Teacher Demonstration
Heat transfers in physical and chemical reactions have many practical applications. Exothermic reactions release heat to the surroundings, resulting in an increase in surrounding temperature. Endothermic reactions require heat from the surroundings, resulting in a... read moreCategories: Teacher Demonstration
The cells of green plants contain the pigment chlorophyll in organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts capture the Sun’s energy and store it―through photosynthesis―as chemical energy. The reactants for photosynthesis are water, H2O(l), and carbon dioxide, CO2(g).... read moreCategories: Lab/Student Activity
This demonstration serves as a superb introduction to the refraction of light. Students place a penny underneath a plastic cup. While viewing the penny through the side of the cup, they slowly fill the cup with water. The penny disappears from sight. read moreCategories: Lab/Student Activity
This demonstration serves as a superb introduction to the refraction of light. Students will view a penny at the bottom of an opaque plastic cup. After moving slightly so that the penny just barely disappears from sight, water is slowly added. The penny magically... read moreCategories: Teacher Demonstration
This demo models how convection occurs in the atmosphere and hydrosphere by showing what happens at the interface of a hot fluid and a cold fluid. This simulates what happens when cold and hot air masses meet, as well as why/how the ocean regulates climate. read moreCategories: Lab/Student Activity, Teacher Demonstration
A circular disc is made with two or more colours of the visible spectrum in equal area sectors. The disc is spun and a different colour appears. read moreCategories: Lab/Student Activity
“Our bodies are bombarded by bacteria and viruses. For those that make their way inside, our immune system is on guard, waiting not only to kill the invaders but also to create memory cells that will help defeat them more quickly the next time they try to... read moreCategories: Lab/Student Activity
This demonstration (adapted from http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/lessons/origami.html where there is additional information) models the process of evolution by introducing random mutations into organisms (paper and straw birds). Birds are then selected for the... read moreCategories: Teacher Demonstration
This demonstration illustrates the importance of enzymes in the human body. Enzymes catalyze many important chemical reactions in the body. This demonstration is a visual example of how the enzyme catalase, which is present in all cells, but in highest concentrations... read more