Rate of Reaction

Time will fly when you choose this chemistry kit to help students understand what affects the speed of chemical reactions! We've designed an exciting curriculum filled with several meaningful chemistry activities including: mixing up a chemical clock, observing the effect of a gassy catalyst, breaking down starch with saliva enzymes, and experimenting with effervescent tablets.

This Launch level kit includes a full-color student workbook and a detailed teacher guide, with step-by-step instructions for both hands-on and reading-based activities designed to engage students in the factors affecting rate of reaction and the properties of chemical equilibrium. Both teacher and student will be able to open the box and start within minutes, and the kit will provide over 15 hours of engaging learning.

In this kit, the student will engage in these fun STEM learning activities:

1. Perform a clock reaction with hydrogen peroxide, starch, ascorbic acid, and iodine.
2. Change the amount of a reactant to control the outcome of a reaction.
3. Use yeast to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
4. Test their own saliva to break down starch and learn about enzymes.
5. Use Alka Seltzer tablets to observe the effects of surface area and concentration on reaction rate.

Use the Rate of Reaction chemistry lab kit to answer questions such as:

• What makes a chemical reaction happen?
• Why do some reactions happen quickly and others slowly?
• What are some ways to make a reaction happen faster?
• Is it possible for reactions to be reversed, and if so, how?
• Why are enzymes needed in living things?

Do you find it fascinating to observe non-living things bubble and move before your eyes? This may be the kit for you! 

Our Rate of Reaction kit is a part of the Science Unlocked Launch series and is recommended for middle and high school students in grades 8-12. Prior to completing Rate of Reaction, we recommend the prerequisite kits Fizz, Foam, and Fire! and Contain Your Excitement. Your student is ready for this kit when they have a basic understanding of matter and measurement, including what atoms and molecules are, and they have previously performed chemical reactions with simple equipment.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Student Workbook Sample and Teacher Guide Sample! 

This kit contains:

• 4 Alka Seltzer Tablets
• 1 Marker
• 1 Dishwashing Liquid
• 10 Filter Papers
• 1 Funnel
• 1 Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1 Iodine (Lugol's) Solution
• 1 Laundry Starch
• 6 Pipets
• 4 Plastic Graduated Cups
• 1 Stirring Rod
• 5 Test Tubes
• 1 Test Tube Rack
• 5 Vitamin C Tablets
• 1 Yeast Packet

You will also need:

• Apron (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Stopwatch or digital stopwatch app
• Water

• Learning outcome: Fast, slow, in-between – chemical reactions happen at many different speeds! Change several factors to make reactants become products faster or slower
• NGSS science standards alignment

• HS-PS1-5 Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
• HS-PS1-6 Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.