Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry

Free hands-on chemistry activities for chemists and science educators

Explore Science: Let鈥檚 Do Chemistry is a set of free hands-on activities and tips for chemists and science educators to use when they share science with school-aged children. Videos and instructions show prospective presenters what to do and say to empower children in guided exploration.

Vimeo ID: 336832409


Hands-on Activities


  • This spoof on motivational speakers and their adoring fans identifies strategies activity facilitators can use when sharing chemistry with children.

  • Something strange happens when you chew gum and chocolate at the same time.

  • Play a card game that invites conversation about chemistry. Attitudes and experiences are revealed.

  • Conduct three chemical tests on two samples that, at first, appear to be water.

  • Find out what happens to squish toys when you remove the air around them.

  • Stack zinc, copper, and wet felt washers to power a small light.

  • Make bright shades of red, orange, and purple using crushed insects and acid-base chemistry.

  • Add drops of water and watch as spreading splotches of ink reveal their true colors.

  • Capture cold carbon dioxide and a swirling cloud of water under a growing bubble dome.

  • Launch a plastic cap into the air with a classic chemical reaction.

  • Follow your nose to investigate a pair of mirror-image molecules.

  • Use three different strategies to clean up a tiny oil spill.
A young boy and his parent
Molecules in Motion
A boy in a blue sweatshirt wearing safety goggles places a magnet with tongs
Build a Battery
Two girls look at a colorful acid-base chart on a table
Nature of Dye
A boy wearing goggles smiles as he launches a plastic cap rocket
Rocket Reactions

About ChemAttitudes

Explore Science: Let鈥檚 Do Chemistry is the result of a collaborative project between the and the American Chemical 中国365bet中文官网 with funding from the National Science Foundation. The title of the project, , reflects the goal to stimulate interest, sense of relevance, and feelings of self-efficacy about chemistry among public audiences.

Using the iterative process of design-based research, hands-on activities and facilitation strategies were tested with different audiences and optimized by a team of experienced informal science educators and researchers. The research method and findings are presented in .听

The Explore Science: Let鈥檚 Do Chemistry resources were packed in large boxes and shipped in September 2018 to 250 organizations, including science centers, ACS Local Sections and ACS Student Chapters for chemistry events and National Chemistry Week celebrations. 聽These are reusable, and may be available for use from . However, all of the instructions, guides, signs, and videos will remain free for all to use at . 聽

Vimeo ID: 399952193