Chemistry is boring? Not for you if you learn with these periodic tables!

In the process of learning, you will inevitably encounter some very important topics that are woefully difficult to grasp thoroughly, like logic tests or differentiation! Dreaded subjects like these are the bane of so many pupils’ lives!

Another example is the periodic table of chemical elements, which all endured in high school; those 118 elements, 7 periods, and 16 groups. The intrinsic relationship between the various chemical elements and their symbols challenges many high school students and can leave them feeling disheartened. But what if the periodic table was laid out in a way that you could create and understand??
A Chemistry class in grade 10 at Aidi International High School is currently learning the periodic table of elements- but with a twist!

The teachers explained the periodic table and the principle of elements arranged by Mendeleev to the students. Aidi School understand that the obstacle to understanding this is the fact that students are unfamiliar with the 100-odd abstract elements, so it is near impossible to hold their attention long enough to explain all the rules adequately.

With this in mind, the teachers decided to focus on engaging the children creatively, seeking a teaching method that would stick. They set out tangible learning objectives that they hoped the students would achieve through getting students to design and create their own periodic table:

- Be more familiar with the periodic table.

- Remember the first 20 elements

- Remember the symbols, names, relative atomic mass and atomic number of the main elements.

This was a true test of the importance of creativity in a lesson! Aidi School decided to mix things up by inviting students to construct handmade 3D periodic table, in an engaging and creative new activity.

The students selected their tools from a choice of materials, and tried their best to display the periodic elements as creatively as possible. To construct the perfect 3D periodic tables, students carefully observed the table, replicated it and added a sprinkling of their own imagination to create innovative versions of the original, plain and boring table and symbols.

The teachers hoped that students would therefore be able to apply more logic to the arrangement of the elements, whilst display the beauty behind the chemistry - thus boosting their understanding.

The groups and the periods had their respective characteristics reflected in the design of the products. With their newly developed understanding of the period table, students used their own way to distinguish the types of elements. One student distinguished the groups with different colors of Lego and another recreated the elements into a Ferris wheel with different colored cars!

The students produced excellent pieces, each adding their own understanding and ideas. One of the students, in producing their 3D periodic tables, created the elements in the using the material based on that element that they see in daily life. Aluminum was used to make Coca-Cola cans and match heads symbolize Phosphorus, as this is their main component.

In addition to the 3D handmade periodic table activity, the Department of Chemistry also organizes academic activities that imparts both knowledge and fun such as developing molecular models that to motivate students to learn more actively.

Fundamentally, this activity has helped them to understand and remember elements better and a worthwhile and productive activity! The success that Aidi School children had will no doubt influence other school's to follow suit!

AIDI School is an educational project of cooperation between the Chinese and Australian governments. Located in Beijing, China, AIDI School provides K-12 International education and is committed to cultivating the world citizen with Chinese culture identity. For more info, please visit: http://www.aidi.edu.cn/

Aidi International School,
No.7, Louzizhuang Rd., Chaoyang District
Beijing, Beijing, 100018 China

Onya Amadi
onya.amadi@wpic.co
861085803111

This release was published on openPR.