Chemical and Physical Changes

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Chemical and Physical Changes STEM Case

The Secret Service recently arrested suspects accused of counterfeiting coins from 1915 valued at $50,000 each. The students act as a forensic scientist to investigate the crime scene and the evidence. Students learn about chemical and physical changes to recreate the methods used to make the coins as evidence for the trial.

STEM Cases are interactive explorations in which students practice problem-solving and critical thinking as they solve a real world problem as a STEM professional.
  • View students results in realtime.
  • Cases take 30-90 minutes to complete.
  • Student progress is automatically saved.
  • Complete in multiple sessions.

STEM CASE

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LevelDescriptionEstimated Time
Middle School  This version is for middle school classes. 30-40 min

Expanded Handbook

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Most content from the Expanded Handbook is included in the corresponding STEM Case.

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LevelDescriptionEstimated Time
Middle School  The Expanded Handbook covers structure of atoms (protons, neutrons and electrons), electrical charges, and chemical energy, in addition to the concepts covered in the handbook section of the Middle School Case. 20-25 min

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

User Submitted Lesson Materials (2):

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Gizmos STEM Lab: Physical and Chemical Properties

A student guide to record observations during the STEM inquiry activity on physical and chemical properti... (more)

Best For: STEM Case, Middle School Level

Gizmo User from Virginia
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Gizmo Handbook - Chemical and Physical Properties

Use this when your students fill out the handbook. This can be exported as a PDF and used with Kami onli... (more)

Best For: Handbook, Middle School Level

Gizmo User from Illinois

User Recommendations (5):

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Finished in one class, great lesson.
Recommended: STEM Case, Middle School Level
Gizmo User from North Carolina
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Very nice performance assessment for MS PS1-2 — great connections to real world science in action.
Recommended: STEM Case, Middle School Level
Gizmo User from California
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THIS IS THE BEST GIZMO YET!!
Recommended: STEM Case, Middle School Level
Gizmo User from Ohio
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Excellent review and application of physical and chemical properties geared to middle school students - kids will enjoy the activities !
Recommended: STEM Case, Middle School Level
Gizmo User from International, unspecified
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Excellent.
Recommended: Handbook, Middle School Level
Gizmo User from Virginia

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