Matter That Matters: Bringing Chemistry to Life

In Ms. Deborah Hastedt’s 6th-grade science class at Wertheimer Middle School, students aren’t just learning about chemical changes—they’re experiencing them firsthand. With the help of the LEAF-funded grant “Chemical Changes Unlocked,” her classroom has transformed into an energetic hub of experimentation, discovery, and hands-on learning. From bubbling reactions to colorful transformations, science is no longer something students read about—it’s something they do.

Purpose & Impacts grant was designed with a clear intention:

With Chemical Changes Unlocked, the goal was to deepen student understanding of chemical changes while making science more hands-on and engaging. In Ms. Hastedt’s class, students explored real-world reactions that brought complex concepts to life.

They’ve learned to distinguish between physical and chemical changes, explain what they observed during experiments, and engage in group discussions that push their thinking further. Along the way, they’ve gained confidence working in teams, solving problems, and asking thoughtful questions—all while developing a genuine interest in scientific discovery.

The grant opened the door to meaningful, inquiry-based learning that reached beyond worksheets and lectures—giving students a chance to connect with science in a whole new way.

Leaving a Lasting Reaction

The results of this hands-on approach are already taking shape—students are thinking more like scientists, building confidence in their abilities, and staying curious about the world around them. They’re not just completing assignments; they’re engaging in real exploration, working together, and discovering the “why” behind what they see in the lab.

With the continued support of LEAF, classrooms like Ms. Hastedt’s are being transformed into spaces where deeper learning happens every day. Because when students connect with content in meaningful ways, the impact lasts long after the lesson ends.