MS-PS1-2 lessons
Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after they interact to decide whether a chemical reaction has occurred.
The Next Generation Science Standards code MS-PS1-2 asks students to: “Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after they interact to decide whether a chemical reaction has occurred.” These Fieldbook lessons teach it hands-on, with everyday materials, a printable teacher guide and a student sheet.
Kitchen Chemistry Grades 7–8
- Is it a new substance? 50–60 min
Teams run six quick kitchen changes, from dissolving sugar to curdling milk, and record properties before and after. They sort each change as physical or chemical using evidence, and find out why a single clue like bubbles or a colour change isn't proof on its own.
- Can red cabbage tell acid from base? 50–60 min
Students add purple cabbage juice to safe household liquids and watch it turn pink, purple, blue or green. They build a colour scale, sort the liquids into acids and bases, identify two mystery liquids, and watch an acid and a base cancel each other out.
NGSS is used as written in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, so the code MS-PS1-2 matches there. Other states word and number their own versions: see curriculum alignment for your state's codes.
More NGSS standards for middle school
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