This week we started our unit on Chemistry Matters! Students participated in five stations designed to review, teach and /or enrich their understanding of matter. One of the greatest achievements in chemistry was to prove that all matter in nature is built from about 100 elements and that no two atoms or molecules can occupy the same space at the same time. "A Matter of Stuff and Space" station's task requires the students determine the volume and mass for a wooden block, a golf ball and a cup of water. "Make Room for Me" - Part 1's task is to measure 50 ml of water and alcohol, then predict the total when combined; Part 2's task is to combine water and rock salt in a baby food jar, then shake the jar for one minute and observe the result; Part 3's task is to predict,then measure, the scoops of marbles, popping corn and sand to fill a baby food jar without removing the previous material. The "Kitchen Powders" station requires students observe and record what salt, baking soda, cream of tartar and sugar look like using a hand lens, then a microscope. Once they have recorded their observations, they need to determine the Mystery Powder( one of the four powders) and the Mystery Mixture( a combination of two of the powders).