Virtural Kitchen Chemistry (studying acids and bases): http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.zkitchen/
Strange Matter: http://www.strangematterexhibit.com/index.html
Mystery Mud: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.mud/
Anatomy of a Firework: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.fanatomy/
The Chemistry of Make-up:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/lsps07.sci.phys.matter.dfmakeup/
Virtual Boiling Water: http://ippex.pppl.gov/interactive/energy/boilwater.html
The tools above are helpful in preparing students to be 21st-century scientifically literate citizens because they are watching or performing scientific experiments on-line, just as we are doing in our on-line courses. These tools also provide diverse applications and exploration of the topics related to physical and chemical properties of matter.
One activity I would use in class is the Virtural Kitchen, testing acids and bases, as well as their reactivity with baking soda. While interactive activities are great, I would also set up a couple of stations in the classroom where my students test the pH of some of the same substances used in the virtual lab, however my students would use pH indicator paper and litmus paper. I would have my student create their own tables on paper and/or later have them fill in their data into excel to later graph the pH of different household liquids. In addition, I would split up the students into smaller groups that would rotate to different stations in the room: one station is the virtual lab, another station is the real deal. At the end students will share what they learned about the various substances used and how acids and bases react chemically with baking soda, as well as why they think acids react with baking soda, while bases do not react.
The challenges that teachers may face when integrating these tools is having enough computers for their students to work on, when they need them. I am experiencing a similar situation because I want to have a group of my students work on laptops to learn about a topic on astronomy, however our school is in the process of MAP testing so the laptops are not available until Thursday. Another challenge is that teachers must make sure Adobe Shockwave (or an updated version) is downloaded onto their computer for some of these tools or they will not work. The Boiling Water interactive lab is a good example of this possible dilemma.
