Chemical Reactions and Photochemistry Projects for National Chemistry Week

By Amy Cowen on October 9, 2024 6:00 AM

Chemistry projects and resources for National Chemistry Week 2024!

Three cups showing Iodine clock reaction / Part of National Chemistry Week project roundup on chemical reactions

National Chemistry Week is October 20-26, 2024. The theme of this year's chemistry awareness week, hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS), is "Picture Perfect Chemistry."

Photochemistry and Chemical Reactions

In learning about the processes involved in developing photographs, students will discover that in addition to photochemistry, photosensitivity, and reactions with light, developing photographs also relies on chemical reactions.

The projects highlighted below guide student exploration of chemical reactions and other topics related to the chemistry of photo-processing, including chemiluminescence, chemical kinetics, phosphorescence, photochromism, and the use of light-sensitive chemicals.

Science Projects with Photo Chemistry Connections

Crime Scene Chemistry—The Cool Blue Light of Luminol: In this forensic science chemistry project, students investigate the role of temperature in making unknown samples treated with Luminol "glow" if there is blood. Luminol emits light when it reacts with certain chemicals. This is an example of chemiluminescence.
Make Your Own pH Paper: Making pH indicator paper using a pH-sensitive dye extracted from red cabbage and using the paper to explore acids and bases is an interesting kitchen science project and a great way to learn more about the pH scale and the acidity of household substances. This project can also be used to talk about photo processing as the pH of a solution can affect the speed and effectiveness of chemical reactions involved in the process. (For younger students, see the Cabbage Chemistry project.) Tip! The DIY pH indicator paper made in this project is similar to litmus paper.
Investigate the Kinetics of the Color Changing Iodine Clock Reaction: This chemistry project guides an exploration of chemical kinetics with an updated version of the classic iodine clock reaction. In this reaction, two clear solutions are mixed, which creates a clear solution that then changes to a colored solution. An example of green chemistry, this project is designed to use safer chemicals and materials, including iodine tincture or povidone-iodine solution, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hydrogen peroxide, purified or distilled water, and starch.
Minds of Their Own: A Chemical Reaction that Changes, then Changes Back!: In this chemistry project, students explore a chemical reaction that causes a solution to change color from blue to yellow to clear and then back, again and again. Most chemical reactions move in one direction, from reactants to products, but this reaction is an oscillating reaction and repeats for a number of cycles.
How Bright Is Your Glow Stick? Measure It!: Build a simple device to measure the intensity of light produced by glow sticks and other glow-in-the-dark materials and investigate to see how temperature affects the intensity of the luminescence. Chemiluminescent objects, such as glow sticks, use chemical energy to produce light.
The Effect of Temperature on Chemical Reaction Time: With a fizzing chemical reaction, it is easy to see that a reaction is happening. When an Alka-Seltzer tablet is dropped into water, it immediately starts releasing carbon dioxide gas—and fizzing. In this science project, students experiment to see what difference temperature makes on the rate of the bicarbonate reaction. For a related STEM activity, see Make an Alka-Seltzer Powered Lava Lamp.
Solar-powered Chemistry: Study Chemical Reaction Rates in Ultraviolet Beads: Ultraviolet (UV) beads change color when exposed to UV radiation from the Sun. In this chemistry project, students experiment to see how temperature affects the rate at which UV beads lose color.
Colorful Chemistry Creations: Make Your Own Sun Print with Color and Sunlight!: Sun print paper is made with Berlin green, a chemical that turns into Prussian view as a result of a light-activated chemical reaction when the paper is exposed to sunlight. Objects placed on the paper that block the light will leave white "images" after the paper is placed in the sun. In this project, students experiment to see what difference the color of light makes in the resulting sun print image.
What's the Best Exposure Time for Sun Print Paper?: The process of making sun prints is similar to photolithography, an important step in making integrated circuits from semiconductors. In this chemistry project, students make sun prints and experiment to see how long the paper should be left in the sun for the best print.

Chemistry Projects for Students

Students choosing independent science projects (or science fair projects) may also be interested in chemistry projects like these:

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTE2IV8vJ48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKTjxxL0kjo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhOyKdeRPXA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQAU5gB0fI

Green Chemistry Lessons & Resources

Use the resources below to learn more about how green chemistry reimagines chemical processes in ways that are environmentally aware, produce less hazardous waste, reduce pollution, and result in cleaner air and water and safer foods and products for everyone.

E-factor: Environmental Impact Factor for Chemical Reactions: In this lesson, students do a simple exercise with M&Ms to understand what environmental impact factor (E-factor) is, how it applies to chemical processes, and how waste from chemical reactions can be reduced by applying the principles of green chemistry.
Using Green Chemistry to Understand Types of Chemical Reactions: In this lesson, students learn to identify composition, decomposition, single-displacement, and double-displacement reactions. After learning about the chemicals commonly used in traditional reactions, they explore safer alternatives based on the Principles of Green Chemistry.
Reaction Rates: Speed It Up with Temperature!: Using bleach and food color, students experiment to see how temperature affects the rate of the chemical reaction.
Green Chemistry and the School Science Lab - Safer Chemistry for Today and Tomorrow: Use these lessons to explore the 12 principles of green chemistry with students.
New Green Chemistry Science Projects—Sustainable Science for Students: Try green chemistry with student science projects, including fabric made from seaweed or kombucha and experiments related to sunscreen and detergent.
Browse all Green Chemistry student projects
Browse all Green Chemistry lesson plans

Support for the development of resources to enable exploration of green chemistry by K-12 students and teachers has been generously provided by Millipore Sigma.