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Classroom Idea Sheet

Amazing Hydro Absorber

In the polymer Olympics, this substance would win a gold medal! It can soak up and hold up to 3000 times its weight in water! Observe the polymer “grow” as water is absorbed. Explore the effect of salt on the polymer’s efficiency.

Standards alignment

Common Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsGrade 4Science and Engineering Practices
Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen. [ Examples: adding air to expand a basketball, compressing air in a syringe, dissolving sugar in water, & evaporating salt water.]Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 5Physical ScienceMatter and its Interactions
Make observations & measurements to identify materials based on their properties. [Examples of properties: color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, & solubility; density is not intended as an identifiable property.]Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 5Physical ScienceMatter and its Interactions
Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 5Physical ScienceMatter and its Interactions
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsGrade 5Science and Engineering Practices
Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. [Examples:burrning sugar or steel wool, fat reacting with sodium hydroxide, mixing zinc with HCl.]Next Generation Science StandardsMiddle SchoolPhysical ScienceMatter and Its Interactions
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsMiddle SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
Construct & revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, & knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.Next Generation Science StandardsHigh SchoolPhysical ScienceMatter and Its Interactions
Communicate scientific & technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials. [Emphasis on the attractive & repulsive forces that determine the functioning of the material. Examples could include why electrically conductive materials are often made of metal, flexible but durable materials are made up of long chained molecules, & pharmaceuticals are designed to interact with specific receptors.]Next Generation Science StandardsHigh SchoolPhysical ScienceMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsHigh SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
California Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
6. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students will develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 404. Investigation and Experimentation
1.b. All matter is made of atoms, which may combine to form molecules.CA ScienceGrade 501. Physical Sciences1. Elements and their combinations account for all the varied types of matter in the world.
6. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Student will:CA ScienceGrade 504. Investigation and Experimentation
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:CA ScienceGrade 607. Investigation and Experimentation
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students will develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 707. Investigation and Experimentation
3.a. The structure of the atom and how it is composed of protons, neutrons and electrons.Grade 801. Physical Sciences3. Structure of Matter3. Elements have distinct properties and atomic structure. All matter is comprised of one or more of over 100 elements.
3.c. Atoms and molecules form solids by building up repeating patterns such as the crystal structure of NaCl or long chain polymers.Grade 801. Physical Sciences3. Structure of Matter3. Elements have distinct properties and atomic structure. All matter is comprised of one or more of over 100 elements.
9. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students should develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 801. Physical Sciences9. Investigation and Experimentation
1. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, & to address the content of the other strands, students should develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 9-1205. Investigation and Experimentation
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About this sheet

Grades covered

Grade 4 – Grade 12

Curriculum topics

Matter, Molecules, Chemistry, Polymers, Volume, Chemical versus Physical change

Sheet number

686
  • Categories: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Physical Science, Science
  • Tags: Chemical Reactions, Matter

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