High School Chemistry Course

How does the structure and behavior of matter explain the world around us?

Resources for Science Learning

Arizona Science Standards - High School (PDF)

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We will begin with a dive into the fascinating world of matter! Students will explore the physical and chemical properties that explain things like the colors of volcanic flames to determine, "Why is this volcano spewing blue flames?" We will learn how elements combine to form compounds, deepening their understanding of how volcanoes change materials. We will also discover the differences between mixtures and how to separate them.  

We will journey through early ideas about matter, defining atoms and learning about how they differ, even studying radioactive decay to answer, "What is matter made of?" We’ll explore light, energy, and quantum theory, understanding how different colors of light can reveal elements in stars to consider, "How do we know what stars are made of?" Students will also model how electrons are arranged in atoms and explore the development of the periodic table and its organization to discover. "What can we learn from the periodic table?" It’s going to be an exciting year full of discovery! 

In Quarter two, we will explore the amazing world of chemical bonding and reactions! We will learn how ions form, how ionic bonds create compounds with unique crystal structures, and how bonding in metals affects their properties to answer the question, “Why do some crystals form cubes?” We will discover how atoms share electrons to gain stability and how we name molecules based on their structure and shape to consider, “Why does water expand when it freezes?” Students will also dive into chemical reactions—learning to balance equations, classify reactions, and predict outcomes and seek to answer, “What happens to food when you cook it?” As we study matter, we will ponder how counting pennies is like counting atoms as we convert between moles and particles, calculate molar mass, and connect moles to mass. Plus, students will deepen their understanding of stoichiometry and the relationships in balanced chemical equations as we seek to answer, “How much carbon dioxide does a field of corn need to grow?” 

It’s going to be an exciting journey through the world of chemistry! 

Next, we will use chemistry to answer some exciting real-world questions! We will explore why water can naturally exist as a solid, liquid, and gas on Earth. By studying how gases behave with changes in pressure, temperature, and volume, we will learn “How do hot air balloons fly?” 

We’ll also dive into mixtures and solutions to uncover “How is it possible for liquids to hold their shape?” Through studying heat, energy, and thermochemical equations, we will figure out “How much heat is released during a rocket launch?” And when students explore reaction rates, they will discover “How can a frog be frozen and still be alive?” It’s going to be an exciting adventure through chemistry! 

Finally, we will dive into exciting chemistry topics that answer some fascinating questions! We will explore chemical equilibrium to understand “Why does photochemical smog appear on some days but not others?” By studying acids and bases, they’ll discover “Why would the acidic water from a geyser burn your skin?” 

Students also investigate oxidation-reduction reactions to uncover “Why is the water glowing?” and learn about different types of batteries to answer, “Where do batteries get their power?” We will explore hydrocarbons and recognize the benzene ring to solve “What is fueling this natural fire?” It’s an amazing year of chemistry discoveries!