Nonconventional Methods in Teaching Matter, Atoms, Molecules & the Periodic Table for Nonmajor Students

Abstract

Instructional strategies that allow the integration of a variety of approaches such as hands-on activities, visualization, writing, demonstrations, role play, and guided inquiry are important in bridging the gap between concrete and abstract understanding of scientific concepts and principles among students. The following are a few of the instructional strategies that we have used in classes (from middle school through introductory college courses) and have found to be useful in helping nonscience majors better understand the nature of matter, atoms, molecules, the periodic table, and other related topics. The understanding of matter and its atomic properties is fundamental to the study of most biological and physical sciences in their present forms. For example, in biology, a basic understanding of chemistry (the study of matter and the changes it undergoes) is fundamental to understanding how cells, organisms, and ecosystems work. It is also important in understanding physiology, genetics, evolution, and the origin of life on the planet Earth. Therefore, students need to learn the atomic basis of matter and the periodic properties of the elements, in order for them to succeed in understanding most scientific concepts presented in any science class. At the same time, it is not at all obvious that matter consists of in-