The periodic table of elements

At the Science Learning Hub, we know teaching chemistry can feel a bit overwhelming. In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool takes you step by step through key ideas associated with physical and chemical properties, including:

Identifying properties of a range of different materials Grouping materials based on observed or measured properties Exploring additional resources available to support you

Radio New Zealand celebrates the 2019 International Year of the The Periodic Table with the series Elemental. https://www.radionz.co.nz/programmes/elemental.

Nights with Bryan Crump has an element of week each Friday night in 2019. https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights

Find out how one secondary school teacher created a lesson using Science Learning Hub resources to explain the periodic table and its uses.

Nature of science Science is a blend of logic and imagination. In the development of the periodic table of the elements, Mendeleev demonstrated these attributes. This is a great example of how science ideas are developed.

This question bank allows students to research common questions about elements. This could be a good starting point or home work task.

This activity is designed to help students become aware that all substances are made of chemicals and that chemicals are made up of a combination of elements.

In this activity, students become familiar with the names and symbols of the chemical elements by creating a rap or poem. - A great way to integrate literacy and have a lot of fun with creating raps or songs.

A great activity to support students to recognise element symbols correctly, link element symbols with element names and vice versa,
demonstrate element recognition through symbol and name for at least 20 elements.

This activity uses chemicals usually not found in primary schools - but you could try asking the local secondary school science department for some support with running this activity.

Think about how students can identify with elements - what ones are found in everyday life - and how do they react.

Carbon is more than just another element. It is one element that might be good to focus a unit on. Of all the elements it is the only one that can form stable linkages to itself as well as to other atoms such as hydrogen and oxygen. This unique ability allows for the formation of carbon frameworks such as long chains, branched chains, rings, spheres and tubes.

There are some really useful nature of science points in this article. Potential discussion points about science and society.

There are two interesting points that can be debated regarding science and society.

1. Demand for neodymium is predicted to grow as society moves to clean energy and transport. However, there are environmental issues with its processing and mining. How do we deal this issue?

2. For a variety of reasons, China currently mines and/or processes more neodymium than any other country. At times, the export supply has been limited for political or economic reasons. What role (if any) should science play to ensure that this important product remains available?

This element has many discussion points, including:

• gaining nutrients from foods versus taking supplements
• the types of observational practices and knowledge required by the farming community to ensure animal and pasture health.

1. How many uses for gold can you find in this article?

2. What are the differing theories about why we find gold where we do?

Great history of science information - from the ancients, Europe in the 1700s and New Zealand in the early 1900s.