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Everyday Emulsions

Tinkering with every day materials for better classroom experiences

Ice cream. Milk. Latex paint. Mayonnaise. Lotions and creams… Emulsions are all around us, but do our students know the link between these everyday materials and the amazing chemistry behind them? Through this resource, we will explore the chemistry of familiar emulsions, applying our current understandings of intermolecular forces to develop new and fun ways to present these concepts in the classroom. We will use specialized dyes to determine emulsion types, make our own lotion using accessible ingredients, and use case studies to explore how this chemistry can impact our environment.

Choose a Level

Learn about emulsions, make and test emulsions, and then see how they relate to you with a few case studies...

At a glance

Topics

  • Life Science,
  • Biology of Cells,
  • Chemistry of Life,
  • Physics of Life,
  • Physical Science,
  • Bonding,
  • Scientific Process & Ethics,
  • Engineering Design,
  • Science & Society,
  • Styles of Scientific Reasoning,
  • Categorization & Classification,
  • Experimental Evaluation,
  • Hypothetical Models

Materials Required

  • Corner Store Materials,
  • Everyday Materials,
  • Lab Materials

Created by

Disan Davis

Disan is a scientist and educator striving to share her curiosity and love of science with others
Research Associate for the STEM PUSH Network
University of Pittsburgh

Jeanne Garbarino Jeanne Garbarino avatar

Jeanne was once rescued by the FDNY after getting her head stuck in a fence. She then grew up to become a biochemist.
Executive Director, RockEDU Science Outreach
The Rockefeller University

Yemi Shin Yemi Shin avatar

Yemi is a sophomore at Carleton College. She is passionate about science, fashion, and all things entertaining.

Myles Marshall Myles Marshall avatar

Myles is a digital artist and founder of Secret Molecule, a graphic design studio that specializes in rendering the unseeable world of biochemistry and related subjects
Art Director
secretmolecule.com

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