Cycle 1

In the previous concept, students explored how adding thermal energy to matter affects the behavior of matter.

In this cycle, students will answer the question, “What happens when matter undergoes change?” Students begin with making observations of substances undergoing physical and chemical changes. They then conduct their own investigation to collect additional data about chemical and physical changes. Students will obtain information through a scientific reading that will describe what a chemical reaction is, what happens at the molecular level during a chemical reaction, and pieces of evidence that may indicate a chemical change has occurred. Students combine their reading and experiences to conduct an investigation that analyzes the properties of the products and reactants to determine if a chemical reaction occurred.

In the next cycle, students will discuss how elements and compounds found in nature are used to create synthetic materials. They will also discover how scientists synthetically make elements and compounds found in nature.