This reference consists of an interactive periodic chart that provides information for most of the elements. Clicking on an element's symbol on the chart accesses the element's name, discoverer and date of discovery, as well as its uses. There is also information on the appearance, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number (a unique identifier assigned to every chemical that has been described in the ... Full description.

This lesson is an introduction to the history and use of the scientific concept of the mole. Full description.

This module provides an introduction to the concept of carbohydrates as a macronutrient. The biochemical structure of simple sugars and complex carbohydrates are compared and contrasted. Full description.

This module provides an introdcution to the concepts of fats and proteins. The basic chemical structure of fats as triglycerides is reviewed, and an introduction to protein structure, including the peptide bond is given. Full description.

This lesson provides an introduction to the use of coal as an energy source. Topics include the history of coal usage, applications of coal as an energy source, and major suppliers of coal (the United States). There is also discussion of how coal is created, located, and produced, and technologies for burning it more cleanly. The lesson includes a hands-on activity in which students measure the ash ... Full description.

This lesson provides an introduction to the occurrence and possible risks of household chemical products. Topics include some basic chemistry (how elements combine to form compounds), how chemicals are classified, and the idea of natural, as opposed to synthetic, chemicals. The lesson includes an activity in which students take an inventory of chemical products in their homes and research the possible ... Full description.

This lesson introduces students to the concept of toxic chemicals. Topics include a definition of the term 'toxic', factors that can affect the potential for a chemical to be harmful, and a brief overview of federal agencies that have authority to regulate chemicals in the United States. The lesson includes a a five-part activity in which students use the internet to investigate various toxic chemicals, ... Full description.

This lab activity uses the internal structure of newspaper (its fibers) to explore the ways in which the internal structure of a material can affect how it behaves. The findings can be related to the physical and chemical properties of minerals, which are influenced by their own internal molecular structures. Full description.

This report provides an overview of the exchange of greenhouse gases, their influences on climate, viability of ecosystems, distribution of biomes, quantities of surface- and ground-water, and some research projects in place to investigate these influences. Topics include lake-atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange, sequestering and exchange of atmospheric carbon dioxide in boreal and subalpine forests, ... Full description.

This brief discussion of atmospheric ozone provides information on where this gas occurs, its harmful and beneficial effects, and the causes and possible consequences of the depletion of "good" ozone in the atmosphere. Full description.