Virtual Labs: pH Scale and Meter Calibration Lesson Plan

Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

NOTE TO EDUCATORS:

This lesson plan accompanies Virtual Labs: pH Scale and Meter Calibration, which is adaptable for grades 6-12. This interactive lab challenges students to test the pH of common liquids and learn how a food’s pH affects it safety in storage. Then they calibrate the pH meter and use it in a lab.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3

Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2

Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2

Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.2

Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

Grade: 07

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.2

Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.

Lesson Plan Next Generation Science Standards Alignments

HS-PS1-3

Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.

MS-ETS1-1

Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-ETS1-2

Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

MS-LS1-1

Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

MS-LS1-5

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Students will:

Use an online "virtual" laboratory to explore food science lab equipment.
Demonstrate standard techniques for pH testing.
Explain how to use a pH meter and calibrate it by measuring solutions of standard value.

Preparation:

This lesson plan uses an online interactive virtual laboratory called pH Scale and Meter Calibration. The purpose of the lab is to familiarize students with food science lab equipment and teach standard techniques for this pH testing procedure. Students will be introduced to the pH scale and its uses, gain familiarity with the equipment and procedures encountered in natural science investigations, learn how to use the pH meter, and calibrate it by measuring solutions of standard value.

Lesson Procedure:

Play the pH Scale movie for the class.
Guide students to understand that in food science, the pH of a substance–how acidic or basic it is–is key to how it functions in recipes. Tell students they will have a chance to explore this through a virtual lab.
Project the pH Scale and Meter Calibration virtual lab on a white board. Have student volunteers complete the first part of the interactive as you help them make connections to prior learning and learn how to utilize the interactive. Discuss techniques for using the pH meter and calibrating it by measuring solutions of standard value.
Provide 10-15 minutes for students to complete the interactive on their own computer. Alternatively, you can have students work with a partner.
If possible, allow students to conduct a similar chemistry investigation in the science lab.

Extension Activities:

Explore other Virtual Labs on GameUp!

Filed as: 6-8, 9-12, Acids and Bases, BrainPOP, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.10

Virtual Labs: pH Scale and Meter Calibration Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Lesson Plan Next Generation Science Standards Alignments

Students will:

Preparation:

Lesson Procedure:

Extension Activities:

Related: