What were your favorite high school chemistry activities?

Hello everyone, chemistry is a bit... daunting for me. I'm hoping that with some extra engagement, I might just start to enjoy it! Did you have any super fun activities or experiments you did in your high school chemistry class that you'd recommend? Thanks in advance.

In high school chemistry, there are definitely some experiments that stick with students long after the school bell rings! Here are three of my favorites:

1. Sparkler Reaction – This was one of the most neutral but visually exciting experiments my class completed, typically around a holiday like the Fourth of July. We demonstrated the "sparkler" effect by adding zinc and sulfur powder to a ceramic dish and igniting it. The combustible mixture brightened up the classroom with an impressive flash (always done with proper safety measures, of course).

2. Making Slime – This is both fun and educational as it teaches students about the properties of polymers. Mixing polyvinyl alcohol solution with sodium borate (borax) creates a non-Newtonian fluid that students can squish between their fingers. It's definitely messy, but students often love the hands-on nature of this experiment.

3. Elephant Toothpaste – This one is fantastic for demonstrating the power of catalysts. By mixing hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and potassium iodide, you get an exothermic reaction with an impressive foam explosion that looks like toothpaste being squeezed from a tube (hence the name).

Remember, safety should always be the primary concern with all science experiments. And, if you're not necessarily into the "flashy" side of chemistry, remember that chemistry is also about understanding how everyday processes work, from trends in the periodic table to understanding reaction rates. Sometimes, figuring out the 'why' behind such things can also make chemistry a whole lot more engaging. Good luck!