7th Grade Chemistry

Teacher:  Maria Cabeza

Dates for 4-week course:
March 24 to April 25 2025 (with one week break for Spring Break)

Times for Live Sessions:  Monday through Thursday.  Each live session lasts between 50 and 70 minutes.  Please note that all times are given in Mountain Time (MT), which is two hours behind ET, and one hour ahead of PT.

• Option #1:  Starts at 8am MT
• Option #2:  Starts at 11am MT

Course Description

In seventh grade, we teach chemistry, the science of transformation, not only as a laboratory science but as a means of cultivating the art of observation. We begin by putting a plant in a closed jar to explain the carbon and oxygen cycle on a small scale. We closely observe a candle and continue studying combustion and the transformation of matter through fire. We study the combustibility of different natural substances such as wool and cotton. After this, we also light a candle in the jar with a plant and see how the carbon dioxide formed by the candle is converted into oxygen again. We observe the relationship of fire to the other Archimedean elements of earth, water, and air, and the relationship between the human being and fire. How do they transform substances in our bodies and environment? We continue with the concept of acids and bases from household materials and indicate them using cabbage juice. This shows a range of strong and weak acids and bases that they have in and around the house. The lime cycle and water cycle will be discovered and explained to indicate other cycles on our planet. By observing the transformation of liquids, the dissolution of matter, and the saturation of substances, we mirror the developing inner life of the seventh grader as they seek balance in their inner and outer world. 

Topics covered:

• History of Chemistry

• Conditions of Combustion

• How Different Substances Burn

• Chemicals in the Home

• Solvents, Solutions, Dilution and Mixture

• Percentage calculations

• Water Cycle

• Lime Cycle

• Detecting and Experiencing Acids and Bases

• pH Scale

• Crystals 

Materials will be shipped.