Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic concepts of chemistry through fun activities related to The Hunger Games.
Materials and Prep
- Water
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Food coloring (optional)
- Cups
- Measuring spoons
- Plastic bags
- Markers
- White paper
- Access to the internet for research
Before starting the lesson, make sure you have a basic understanding of The Hunger Games series and its characters.
Activities
- Create a District Potion: Mix different amounts of water, vinegar, and baking soda to create a District Potion. Observe the reactions and record your observations. You can also add food coloring for a visual effect.
- Create a Tracker Jacker Acid Test: Use vinegar and baking soda to create a fizzing reaction. Draw and color a tracker jacker on a white paper, and place it in a plastic bag. Add the vinegar and baking soda mixture to the bag and observe the reaction. Does the tracker jacker dissolve or change color?
- Research the Chemistry of Fire: Investigate the chemical reactions involved in fire. Look for examples of how fire is used in The Hunger Games series and explain the science behind it.
Eighth Grade Talking Points
- "Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes."
- "Chemical reactions occur when substances combine or break apart to form new substances with different properties."
- "In the District Potion activity, we observed a chemical reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) that produced carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt."
- "The fizzing reaction in the Tracker Jacker Acid Test is an example of an acid-base reaction, where the vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt."
- "Fire is a chemical reaction known as combustion, which involves the rapid combination of oxygen with a fuel source."
- "In The Hunger Games series, fire is often used as a tool for survival, signaling, and as a weapon."
- "Understanding the chemistry behind fire can help us appreciate the dangers and benefits of this natural phenomenon."