Students will discuss what they have learned about atoms and elements
in their own words. Students will design a poster advertisement for
their chosen element. Students will use more than just their right brain to
think about science!!
Science and Math Standards
|Content Standard 2:
- Mathematics as Communication
|Content Standard B:
- Structure of Atoms
- Interactions of energy and matter
||Content Standard G:
- Science in personal and social perspectives.
Science Students should have read the background
information on how atoms emit light energy and have a basic understanding
of the elements.
Each element in the Universe has unique properties due to its atomic
configuration (the arrangement and numbers of protons, neutrons and
electrons it has). In the previous activities, students have learned
about how each element has a unique spectral "fingerprint." In this
activity, students will explore in more depth the properties of one
particular element, and share their knowledge with the class in the form
of a poster advertisement for their element.
The students should be given a week to complete this assignment as either
a student-individual or group project. If it is assigned as a group
project, some class time will be needed. Give each student a copy of the
Student Worksheet which describes the requirements of the project.
Each of the requirements on the Student Worksheet is worth 20 points.
The students should present their posters to the class, and for an extra 20
points all students should be encouraged and prepared to conduct some form
of a demonstration using the assigned element as either an element or
When the students have completed their element posters, they should be
presented to and shared with the class. It might be useful to have the
posters on display for a short amount of time, so that students will be
able to see each others posters and become familiar with each others
This project is easily adaptable to almost any grade level. Middle
school students might concentrate on the basic properties of the
element. At all levels, artistic creativity should be encouraged.
In addition, with a one or two classes participating, an entire periodic
table could be assembled and displayed. When a semi-permanent display
is not possible, some teachers have used their school gymnasium or
auditorium to lay out all the posters and photograph their students
Middle school students might also enjoy creating super heroes whose
powers are based on one of the elements. For example, "Goldi Ox"
(a play on Goldilocks) uses the properties of gold.
Periodic Table of the Elements