Exploring Chemical Change: Eighth Grade Reactions Lab
This March, eighth-grade scientists in Mrs. Chen’s class explored the fascinating world of chemical reactions through a Reactions Lab. Students investigated five different types of reactions—single displacement, combustion, decomposition, synthesis, and double displacement—each demonstrating the transformative power of chemistry.
As part of the lab, students balanced chemical equations, reinforcing the law of conservation of mass. By ensuring that the number of atoms remained equal on both sides of the equation, they deepened their understanding of how matter is neither created nor destroyed in a reaction.
Following the experiments, students reflected on their findings, answering key questions such as identifying the five signs of a chemical reaction and explaining how energy plays a role. They discovered that when more energy is needed to start a reaction, energy is a reactant, while when more energy is released, energy becomes a product.
Through this lab, students not only witnessed chemical changes firsthand but also strengthened their analytical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific reasoning skills—making chemistry come alive in the classroom!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
