Students discover the rocks and minerals that are behind the chemical elements of the Periodic Table.

Natassa Detsika

doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-6049

Abstract

&lt;p&gt;This work is aimed at young people at the age of 14 to 15 years old.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The work is based on the study of the Periodic Table. Students show a great interest in learning about the history of the periodic table, as well as the details of each chemical element individually. They want to know how it was discovered, the scientist who did it, in which rock we can find it, where we use it, its properties, and much more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Combining the two sciences, Geology and Chemistry, we make a blank Periodic Table with dimensions of 2m to 1,5m. We also make cards with the elements.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The aims are:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;- To help students study the periodic table through various table games and learn not only the names of chemical elements but their inseparable relationship with the Earth and man.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;- To make it clear that everything we need and use has its origins in the Earth.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;- To emphasize the origins of the chemical elements in the minerals and the rocks.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;For every element there are several cards. An example is Al (Aluminum). For Al, there is a card with the chemical symbol of Al, a card with the picture of Bauxite (the rock from which we get aluminum), a card with the materials made of Al, a card with a small quiz about some of its chemical or physical properties, etc. &amp;#932;he cards have colors depending on the group that the chemical elements belong to. There are also cards with the history behind a chemical element.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Students are divided into groups, in which they then pick up different cards and try to place the chemical elements in the correct box in the periodic table.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another game they like to play is to pick a card with the element&amp;#8217;s symbol on and try to guess the name of the element and to associate it with the suitable mineral or rock card.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In addition, the students are given atoms and bonds simulations, as well as the chemical type of a mineral and a picture or a real part of a rock, in which we find the mineral. Their goal is to construct the mineral using the simulations and the written directions. &amp;#921;n this way, they also recognize the rocks in which the chemical elements are found.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The most interesting in the above process is that students prepare the cards themselves. Thus, they are also actively involved in the process of creating their own periodic table.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In 2019, the scientific world celebrated the 150th anniversary since the creation of the periodic table. Our students, after playing such games as the above, decided to celebrate the International Year of P.T. by painting their own periodic table on canvas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Their work is now hanging in a central school area.&lt;/p&gt;

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