This project aims to immerse 8th-grade students in the practical application of the conservation of mass principle through engaging, hands-on experiences. By conducting experiments and collaborating with community partners, students will explore real-world scenarios where mass conservation plays a crucial role. The project culminates in a science fair, allowing students to creatively present their findings and deepen their understanding of chemical reactions and the rearrangement of atoms.

Students will understand and apply the principle of conservation of mass in chemical reactions by designing and conducting experiments. They will learn to represent these reactions using chemical equations, with a focus on real-world applications such as photosynthesis and food production. Through collaboration with peers and community partners, students will enhance their scientific inquiry skills and ability to communicate findings effectively.

Students will create interactive displays for the science fair, showcasing their experiments on mass conservation. Each display will include a visual comparison of the mass of ingredients before and after a chemical reaction, such as baking bread, along with an explanation using chemical equations. Additionally, students will design a simple product, like a salad dressing, as part of a workshop with a local food science company, highlighting the practical application of mass conservation in food production.

Kick off the project with a 'Chemistry in Action' day where students rotate through stations featuring hands-on experiments that illustrate mass conservation in everyday activities, such as baking bread and making soap. These engaging, real-world examples will ignite curiosity and provide a tangible context for understanding the principle of mass conservation. Students will make predictions, observe outcomes, and discuss the science behind each reaction, setting the stage for their own project explorations.

Students will present their projects at a science fair, showcasing interactive models and experiments that demonstrate the conservation of mass. They will set up displays that visually compare the mass of ingredients before and after chemical reactions, such as baking bread. Community partners and peers will visit each exhibit, providing feedback and engaging in discussions about the real-world applications of these scientific principles.