At a Glance

Discipline

  • STEM
  • Chemistry

Instructional Level

  • College & CEGEP
  • University

Tasks in Workflow

Social Plane(s)

  • Individual

Type of Tasks

  • Analyzing
  • Writing
  • Experimenting & conducting inquiry

Technical Details

Class size

  • Medium (50-99)

Time

  • Single class period (< 90 mins)

Instructional Purpose

  • Exploration & inquiry

Overview

In this CLAW (Chemistry Laboratory Alternative Work) At-Home experiment, students will perform an experiment using household chemicals and materials. It was designed as a substitute for in-person laboratories, usually performed at the college level, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, it may also be used as an experiment that students can carry out in the lab or for student projects.

Instructional Objectives

The objective of this at-home chemistry experiment is to determine the conditions and properties favoring solubility. Mixing of commercially available household items are carried out to qualitatively evaluate and understand solubility behavior.

Workflow & Materials

Workflow

Activity Workflow

View on CourseFlow

Contributor's Notes

Yann Brouillette

Yann Brouillette

Dawson College, Montreal

Benefits
Challenges
Tips
Benefits
  • This hands-on home experiment is an engaging way to manipulate and measure chemical compounds outside an official laboratory set-up;
  • Experimental data recorded by the students can be analyzed to write a complete lab report.
Challenges
  • It may be difficult to estimate the time needed for students to complete this activity at home.
  • Gathering of chemicals and material usually carried out by a technician must be done by each student.
Tips

The list of chemicals and material necessary for the experiment should be given to students as soon as possible to make sure they have the time to purchase and gather the needed items.

Applied Strategies

Comments

  1. I have a question. Can this CLAW at home experiment can be performed by high school students?
    Looking forward to your response.

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