How to Teach Chemistry at Home
Chemistry is a physical science that focuses on the properties of substances. In a chemistry class, students learn about scientific notation, the periodic table, the atomic structure, chemical bonding, how to create experiments and the reasons that chemicals react when mixed together. Chemistry can be taught at home with the proper equipment, books and tools.
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Things You'll Need
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Baking soda
- Latex gloves
- Dust mask
- Laboratory equipment
Instructions
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Purchase a chemistry textbook and a laboratory experiment book. The textbook should be simple and easy to understand for the student. For textbooks, consider "The World of Chemistry: Essentials," by Melvin D. Joesten" or "Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry To Society," by the American Chemical Society. For laboratory books, consider "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)" by Robert Bruce Thompson.
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Designate a room for chemistry experiments. It should have safety equipment including a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, baking soda in case chemicals get on your hands, latex or nitrile gloves and a dust mask. Also equip it with tongs, beakers and test tubes. You can have your students create green fire, build a baking soda volcano or grow ammonium phosphate crystals. These experiments are safe to do at home. "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)" by Robert Bruce Thompson includes other ideas.
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Choose appropriate attire. You and your students should wear lab coats or other clothing that exposes little skin, closed-toe shoes and goggles. Hair should be worn in a bun or ponytail if you are working with fire.
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Find websites that offer chemistry experiments and facts for your students. Consider "The Human Touch of Chemistry" and "Zoom Sci." "The Human Touch of Chemistry" includes games and a periodic table in which you can click on the elements to provide a clear explanation. The website also has games, a storyboard and chemistry learning jokes. "Zoom Sci," for younger students, teaches them how to create a color symphony or make baking soda bubbles.
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Tips & Warnings
If chemicals get on hands, wash them with cool water and baking soda. Follow instructions carefully. Never pick chemicals with your bare hands. Use tongs to pick up beakers.
References
Resources
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