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21 Fascinating Periodic Table Activities for Chemistry Students of All Ages

Proving that fun is elemental to learning!

The periodic table of elements is key to understanding and mastering chemistry concepts. These periodic table activities are fun and engaging, and you can use many of them with both younger and older students. Pick a few to try in your own classroom!

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1. Start with an anchor chart

The periodic table is an ingenious construction, but it takes a little explaining. These anchor charts explain the layout and details and are excellent references to use throughout all your periodic table activities.

Learn more: Scholastic

2. Explore an illustrated periodic table chart

Teachers love this chart, and for good reason. It brings the table to life, helping chemistry students understand the role each element plays in the world around us. You can print copies of it for free, or buy posters and card sets. There’s even an interaction version !

Learn more: elements.wlonk.com

3. Color and learn about the elements

You can use this clever coloring book for all kinds of periodic table activities. Try a few free printable pages from author Teresa Bondora’s site here . If you like them, buy The Periodic Table of Elements Coloring Book on Amazon .

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4. Sing a periodic table song

Though kids don’t necessarily need to memorize the periodic table, songs like this one can help if they want to try! We love this new up-to-date take, but the old Tom Lehrer classic from 1959 is lots of fun too .

5. Build a model using egg cartons

Love a good recycled craft project? This is the activity you’re looking for! Save up egg cartons and use them to build a periodic table model.

Learn more: Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

6. Create an elements card deck

These free printable cards are terrific for reviewing the elements, especially if you’re working on memorizing some or all of them.

Learn more: Homeschool Creations

7. Make pipe cleaner element models

Gain a deeper understanding of the construction of each element by making models with pom poms, beads, and pipe cleaners.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

8. Find the elements to win the game

Familiarize yourself with where each element is located on the table, along with their abbreviations, with this simple (and free) point-and-click computer game.

Learn more: Mr. Nussbaum Learning + Fun

9. Go on an elements scavenger hunt

Send students on a search for real-life examples of the various elements. They’ll be surprised at how easy it is to find so many of them.

Learn more: Pinay Homeschooler

10. Make a periodic table of giant tiles

This classic research project comes together in a giant periodic table display. You can use poster board, or add a 3-D element by creating the tiles on pizza boxes instead.

Learn more: missmiklius

11. Play periodic table Battleship

Here’s another fun game to help familiarize kids with where various elements are found on the table. Learn how to play at the link.

12. Turn elements into superheroes (or villains)

This is such a fun twist on the usual element research project. Students learn more about the characteristics of their element, then decide whether it’s a superhero—or a villain!

Learn more: Morpho Science/Teachers Pay Teachers

13. Download the Atomidoodle app

This cool little app, available on both the Apple AppStore and Google Play, challenges students to draw paths through mazes. They use fusion (addition) and fission (division) to create new atoms, all while learning hundreds of facts about the elements.

Learn more: Atomidoodle

14. Sort “periodic people” into a table

This clever activity gives students the chance to see how Mendeleev sorted the elements to create his brilliant periodic table. Get it for free at the link.

Learn more: Sunrise Science

15. Put the periodic table on your ceiling

Source: Jackson County Sentinel

Make use of every last bit of your classroom space by turning ceiling tiles into an enormous periodic table! Adhesive vinyl works well for this ambitious project.

16. Solve The Mystery of the Periodic Table

Middle school readers will enjoy this tale of the development of the periodic table, learning about the various scientists involved along the way. Buy The Mystery of the Periodic Table on Amazon here.

17. Get to know the Element characters

Each element has its own set of characteristics that could almost be called its personality. That’s the idea behind these incredibly fun cards, which imagine the elements as living characters. You could use a set of these for all kinds of periodic table activities.

Learn more: Elements—Experiments in Character Design

18. Defeat a periodic table escape room

Escape rooms are all the rage, and they’re a lot of fun in the classroom too. Create your own set of chemistry-based challenges, or buy this ready-to-go periodic table escape room on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Learn more: Kesler Science

19. Make periodic table pixel art

In this free interactive program, students answer questions about the elements to unlock squares on the periodic table, creating a pixel picture. Bonus: Have kids create their own pixel pics using the table!

Learn more: Teaching Above the Test

20. Put together colorful tiles

These colorful pieces interlock to create an interactive puzzle you can use for lots of different periodic table activities. Buy the set at Amazon.

21. Compete at periodic table Bingo

Bingo is always fun, but this version helps you learn the various abbreviations of the elements too. Make your own cards, or buy a pre-made set at the link.

Learn more: STEAM Powered Family

Want more hands-on science? Try the Best Science Kits for Kids, As Chosen by Teachers .

Plus, 20 of the Best Science Bulletin Boards and Classroom Decor Ideas .

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Free Printable periodic table worksheets

Discover the wonders of the Periodic Table with our free printable Science worksheets, designed to help students explore elements and their properties. Ideal for Science teachers and learners alike.

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Explore printable periodic table worksheets

Periodic table worksheets are an essential resource for teachers who want to engage their students in the fascinating world of Science and Chemistry. These worksheets provide a structured and interactive way for students to learn about the elements, their properties, and their relationships with one another. By incorporating periodic table worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can create a more hands-on learning experience that not only helps students grasp the fundamentals of Chemistry but also sparks their curiosity and interest in the subject. Furthermore, these worksheets can be easily tailored to suit the needs of students at various grade levels, ensuring that the content remains relevant and challenging for all learners. In conclusion, periodic table worksheets are a valuable tool for teachers looking to enhance their Science and Chemistry curriculum.

In addition to periodic table worksheets, Quizizz offers a wide range of resources and tools that can help teachers create engaging and interactive learning experiences for their students. With Quizizz, teachers can access a vast library of pre-made quizzes, worksheets, and other educational materials that cover a variety of Science and Chemistry topics. These resources can be easily customized to match the specific needs and learning objectives of each grade level. Moreover, Quizizz allows teachers to track student progress and performance, enabling them to identify areas where students may need additional support or intervention. By incorporating Quizizz into their teaching strategies, educators can create a more dynamic and effective learning environment that fosters a deeper understanding of Science and Chemistry concepts.

• My Favorite Things!

Fun Activities for Teaching the Periodic Table

The unit that I most love to teach is Atoms and the Periodic Table. I love this unit because the growth in my students’ understanding is so significant and they undergo a transformation before my eyes! With the exception of the occasional chemistry-obsessed student, most of my students start out this unit thinking that the Periodic Table is some sort of super complex graphic for brainiacs and mad scientists, or they simply think it’s an absolute bore.

But after a few weeks of study, they can navigate the families of elements on the table, interpret atomic structure based on an element’s position on the table, and glean information about how different atoms will interact with one another! Experiencing my students fall in love with the Periodic Table is amazing every year! In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite activities to teach my middle school students about the Periodic Table.

#1: Periodic People Challenge

The Periodic Table is an amazing tool because it has SO MANY patterns embedded in it. These include the number of valence electrons, atomic radius, number of electron shells, reactivity, boiling and melting points, electron affinity and electronegativity, and more! My most favorite activity to jump-start a unit on Atoms and the Periodic Table is this Periodic People activity.

Student pairs try to arrange the sketches of these ‘suspicious characters’ into a repeating pattern that makes sense. Then, they use their pattern to try to figure out the characteristics of a ‘missing suspect’ in the case. Check out My Favorite Way to Introduce the Periodic Table post for more information about this activity!

#2: Get to Know the Elements Scavenger Hunt

This Get to Know the Elements Periodic Table in Pictures Scavenger Hunt worksheet goes with the beautifully illustrated Periodic Table at http://elements.wlonk.com .

This activity gives the students the chance to study the table, learn which everyday items contain which elements, and notice certain characteristics like which elements are found in the human body, which are found in the Earth’s crust, which are magnetic, which are radioactive, and more!

I print a colored class-set of the table front/back (there is more information on the back of the squares), and a worksheet for each student. The students enjoy looking at the pictures and seeing the elements in a “fresher” way! You could also have your students simply go to the website where the table is located and use this activity more like a webquest. The student sheet is included as a digital version, too!

#3: Metals, Non-metals, and Metalloids Lab

I like to use this Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids observation lab early-on in my students’ exploration of the elements and the Periodic Table because students do not need to know about atoms– they only need to know how to make observations and a general sense of the Periodic Table. Students will be making observations of the physical and chemical properties of pure element samples, grouping them into categories, and classifying them as metals, non-metals, or metalloids. This is a great inquiry lab that satisfies NGSS standards!

You will need to gather element samples and some basic materials for each group of three students. I wrote the answer key to include aluminum, carbon, copper, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, antimony, calcium, and zinc, but you can use any combination of these elements for the lab. An editable file is included in the download so that you can change the elements if necessary.

You will also need: a hydrochloric acid solution, a copper (II) chloride solution, a nail, and a Chem plate or small test tubes and a test tube rack for each group. Also, you can set up a conductivity station with a conductivity apparatus (wires with tiny light bulb attached) or an electric conductivity meter if you don’t have enough of these for each group.

#4: Atoms Cornell Doodle Notes

Atoms make up everything! And most students do not have a grasp of what an atom is. I designed these Atoms Cornell Doodle Notes to be an approachable and fun introduction to atoms, subatomic particles, basic atomic structure, and reading the Periodic Table. These notes cover the basic structure and subatomic particles of an atom, and help students understand the information that can be found on each element’s square of the Periodic Table.

You can have your students complete the hard-copy version or the digital version! And you can use the presentation for a whole-class lecture, paired group work, or individually-paced work. Never used Cornell Doodle Notes before? You can read more about them in this post and in this post !

#5: Bohr Diagram Manipulatives Activity

You will really hear the Eurekas! in your classroom during this activity. When students construct the Periodic Table in this Bohr Diagrams Atom Manipulatives Activity , they will  see  the patterns that exist in the table without you saying anything. This activity involves simple graphics of the atoms of elements #1-20 of the Periodic Table. This activity is great to use once your students understand that the “identity” of an atom can be determined by its number of protons, and that in a neutral atom the protons equal the electrons.

The students will arrange the diagrams and their corresponding element names into THE Periodic Table (#1-20). Then, they add to that the cards containing the number of valence electrons and the number of shells/energy levels for each element. Once their Periodic Table of atoms is constructed, the students can see the patterns of electron shells and numbers of valence electrons.

I love listening to my students do this activity because suddenly they “get” the relationship between the Periodic People Activity (#1 above) and the basic patterns in the actual Periodic Table! I find that this activity really sticks with the students and I am able to build on this later!

#6: Periodic Personalities Graphic Organizer

I have found that giving ‘personality’ to the element families is a great way help my students to understand the characteristics of the elements based on where they are located on the Periodic Table. For example, if your students can remember that the Alkali and Alkaline Earth metals are the ‘hippies’, they will also remember that these atoms give away their valence electrons … peace and love, man! If they can remember that the Halogens are the greedy guys, they will also remember that these atoms take valence electrons from others .

I created 8 different ‘personalities’ for this Periodic Personalities Graphic Organizer to help students to wrap their heads around the differences between elements. The Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Lanthanides, Actinides, Poor Metals, Metalloids, Halogens, and Noble Gases groups are included! The ‘personalities’ stick because my students always refer back to this graphic throughout our unit on bonding and chemical reactions!

#7: Design Your Own Periodic Table Project

When I started teaching the Periodic Table, I tried to think of a way to make it student-centered to try to reach as many of my kiddos as possible. This Design Your Own Periodic Table Project was born and has become a crowd favorite! I am always amazed by my students’ creativity with this project and I always learn so much about each student. And bonus, this project is eye-candy for hallway bulletin boards!

Students choose a theme that contains at least 20 ‘things’ that can be arranged into a periodic pattern in two different ways. They can create a Periodic Table of the items. For example, I’ve had a student create a Periodic Table of Musical Instruments. For his table, each family is a different type of instrument (woodwinds, horns, strings, percussion) and the periodicity is by the instruments’ range with the largest range at the top of the family and the narrowest range at the bottom of the family.

My students have created Periodic Tables for all kinds of themes! The themes range from Friends characters to types of cereal, sneakers to surfboards, Boy Scout trips to places they’d like to travel!

#8: Alien Periodic Table

This activity is a great way to assess your students’ understanding of the Periodic Table! I actually use this as an assessment grade in my class. This is a digital take on an  alien periodic table  that I used to have my students do on paper. Students are told that the alien scientists on another planet have made contact with Earth. The aliens are interested in comparing data about the elements that exist on their planet to those on Earth. Students are given some background information, a list of clues, a blank periodic table, and a ‘word bank’ of the alien periodic table squares. They must use the extraterrestrial data to arrange the alien elements onto the blank periodic table. Then, they must color-code the alien table using the family names.

You can grab a  FREE DOWNLOAD  of the  DIGITAL ALIEN PERIODIC TABLE ACTIVITY ! You can change the planet name to something relevant to you or your school! Share this assignment with your students via Google Classroom.

I hope that you learn to love teaching your students about the amazing Periodic Table as much as I do! A heads up that you can get all of these activities and more in my Atoms and the Periodic Table Bundle !

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Hi! I’m trying to find #3: METALS, NON-METALS, AND METALLOIDS LAB, but there are no links associated with the lab. Please help!

Hi Megan — here is a link to that lab: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Metals-Nonmetals-and-Metalloids-Properties-Lab-3798335

Christie Thomas

These are amazing! Thank you for creating printable activities and are actually FUN and at a middle school level.

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Periodic Table Lesson Plans

Teaching the Periodic Table of Elements

Science teachers, are you struggling with how to make the periodic table of elements an engaging and fun unit for your students?

Learn how to teach a unit  using these strategies to motivate and excite your students .

Building Background Knowledge with the Periodic Table of Elements

Cement background knowledge into students on the first day of school. Forgoing traditional getting to know you activities , have students complete the “Elements of Me” activity.

It’s a fun take on the periodic table of elements, but instead students will add in things about themselves, such as

• an “atomic number” (grade level),
• element symbol (initials),
• element name (first and last name), and
• element mass (age).

This introduction activity will look awesome hanging in your classroom for back-to-school nigh t, and when students start learning about the table later in the year, come back to visit these activities.

Build Vocabulary

Start your unit by tackling important vocabulary terms . This is important because most of these terms are entirely unknown to students.

Unlike other vocabulary terms, you really can’t use context clues to figure out what most of these words mean.

So choose terms students will encounter multiple times throughout the unit that are meaningful to their understanding of the periodic table. Important terms could include:  

• chemical symbol,
• period, and
• periodic table of elements.

Videos are simple to understand and fun to watch, so you might want to include a Brainpop or Flocabulary one. 

Next, continue to layer knowledge using science reading texts .

Text should include vocabulary and short, manageable paragraphs that are easy to understand. Including checkpoint questions and overall comprehension questions will help to summarize their learning.

Science texts can be completed

• in small groups, or
• independently.
• Sometimes you may want to assign them as homework.

Fun Periodic Table Review Activities

Now comes the fun stuff! 

Periodic Table of Elements Review Activities

Tips for the periodic table :

• Print one in color and laminate it for small classes.
• Allow students to use this for the unit and then collect it at the end of the unit for the following year.
• Put the periodic table in a safe place to use next year.
• then periods,

They will also have to

• search by the name of the element. 
• find atomic numbers
• metals and nonmetals. 

Choice Assignments

• Dimitri Mendeleev,
• searching for elements,
• why it is useful and
• researching elements.

Give students time to complete the assignments or use them as a great project or homework assignment. 

Integrating Holidays

Finally, complete the unit with a project by researching one of the elements .

Students are given a guideline of what they need to include and will complete their element tile.

This activity allows students to practice their research skills. Even in the older grades, students ask questions like, “How do I find this?” 

• atomic number,
• element name, and

Research skills are needed to determine who, when, and where the element was discovered, the chemical and physical properties, its uses, and fun facts. 

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The handouts and PowerPoint presentations below are resources to be used by any/all students and educators. It is appreciated if credit is given when these materials are reproduced or published in any way.

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Presentation materials, units, measurements, and conversions, scientific processes, engineering design process, final test information, interesting "stuff", solar system, earth, moon, & sun system, cell growth and reproduction, chromosomes, homeostasis, periodic table, chemical bonds and reactions, temperature & heat.

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ACTIVITY in Introduction , Elements , Periodic Table , Identifying an Unknown . Last updated January 29, 2024.

In this activity, students use imaginary elements to create a periodic table based on patterns in the known properties of those elements. They then use these patterns to predict the properties of an unknown element.

Grade Level

High School

NGSS Alignment

This activity will help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations in the following standards:

• HS-PS1-1 : Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• Explain periodic trends.
• Arrange elements appropriately based on their properties.
• Apply periodic trends to unknown elements to predict their properties.

Chemistry Topics

This activity supports students’ understanding of:

• Periodic table

Teacher Preparation : 5 minutes

Lesson : 20 minutes

For each group:

• One set of element cards
• One blank periodic table template
• There are no special safety concerns for this activity.

Teacher Notes

• For this activity, students may work in groups of 2–3 or independently, though many students would likely benefit from sharing their ideas with peers.
• Before beginning this activity, explain to the students that their new periodic table should have appropriate trends across rows and groups of elements.
• Explain that the properties of the groups are not necessarily the same as the properties of real elements on the periodic table – however, students should use their understanding that groups have similar properties to determine how these elements should be arranged.
• In the Analysis Questions, students’ predictions for the masses of Ia and the unknown element may vary slightly, as the patterns are not exact. See answer key for acceptable ranges of answers.
• Depending on the amount of time you wish to spend on this activity, you could have the element cards pre-cut, or have the students cut them out themselves.   You will want to print single sided to facilitate cutting out the element cards separately from the rest of the student handout.
• Project: Repurpose the Periodic Table
• Activity: How the Periodic Table Organizes the Elements Video Questions
• Activity: Organizing the Periodic Table
• Activity: Mendeleev Video Questions
• Activity: History of the Periodic Table Video Questions
• Activity: Mendeleev’s Cards
• Activity: Mendeleev’s Periodic Table
• Activity: Aliens Activity

For the Student

The periodic table is a special way of arranging elements based on predictable patterns in their properties and characteristics. In this activity, you will create a periodic table using imaginary elements. This periodic table should have appropriate trends across rows and groups of elements.

• On the next page, you will see a collection of elements along with their characteristics.
• Cut out each element card and arrange the elements in order based upon their characteristics, just like you would see on the periodic table. Use the attached periodic table template to organize the elements. (Note: Not all spaces on the template will be filled – there is a missing element!)
• After organizing your elements, use your periodic table to answer the analysis questions below.
• When you have finished, have your teacher check your work.

Analysis Questions

• Predict the state, color, and mass of the missing element. Explain your reasoning.
• Predict the mass of element Ia. Explain your reasoning.
• Predict the state, color, and mass of the element that will follow Az. Explain your reasoning.
• Bonus: Look at the element symbols used for these imaginary elements – do you notice something familiar about them? Explain the pattern and suggest a symbol (that does not match a real element symbol) for the missing element that fits this pattern.

Periodic Table Template

Periodic Table of Elements Computer Activity Worksheets MS-PS1-1 HS-PS1 Digital

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Description

This assignment is NO prep and it’s totally student centered. I use it to front load and introduce the periodic table. If you’re comfortable with a substitute and computers, it can be a great sub plan or you can use it for review. High school chemistry teachers can use it as an intro and then go more in depth later. After this assignment I have my students do my “ Periodic Table Baby Book ” and the Atom Model Project , to become even more familiar with specific elements and their characteristics. The only materials you need are computers and colored pens or pencils and that’s it! It’s approximately a 1 to 2-hour activity depending on grade level.

THE RESOURCE IS NOW GOOGLE READY!!!

This resource includes the following:

-9 slide Google Slideshow

-PDF Printable version

-PDF Printable Key

These concepts are included:

Element Name

Element Symbol

Atomic Number

Atomic Mass

Word Bank for ELL and SPED

# of protons

# of electrons and Valence electrons

# of neutrons

Group/Family Name and characteristics of each family

Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Non-Metals, Noble Gases, Halogens, Rare Earth Elements and Metalloids

How to Read the Table

Structure of atoms

How to calculate Protons, Neutrons and Electrons

Number of orbitals and/or shells

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A Student Made Periodic Table

Introduction: A Student Made Periodic Table

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table , the Grade 9 Science classes at Vaughan SS have created tiles of all 118 elements! These tiles were installed in the Science wing to showcase student work, encourage student engagement, and divert CD cases from disposal in the landfill (i.e. up-cycling). This installation integrates the Arts into STEM education (now STEAM), and encourages cross-curricular connections between Science, Arts, Mathematics, and Technological Design. Students from all grades were involved in painting, designing, and constructing the periodic table, in addition to producing a time-lapse video of the installation process.

Inspiration: We are indebted to Thornhill’s Science Department for inspiring our Periodic Table and sharing their rubric and lessons learned. We were also inspired by the University of Waterloo’s Periodic Table Project and Timeline of the Elements Projects.

TWO years since we started, we are PROUD to present our student-made Periodic Table! This post has 4 parts:

• 118 Element Tiles (Individual student project)
• Building the Periodic Table (Designing & constructing the main display)
• All the Extras (Laser cutting signs, arrows, etc)
• Installing the Periodic Table (Creating time-lapse videos)

Check out the finished videos here and here !

Step 1: 118 Element Tiles (Individual Student Projects)

• 118+ Regular Jewel/CD Cases (Not the slim cases)
• Student Assignment Sheet & Rubric (See attached files)
• CD Template (See attached files)

Learning Goals:

• communicate ideas, in writing, diagrams and through the use of images
• demonstrate an understanding of the properties of an element in the periodic table.
• select, organize, and record relevant information on a research topic from a variety of appropriate sources, including electronic, print, and/or human sources, using suitable formats and an accepted form of academic documentation

The Student Project comprises of 4 parts:

• Artwork : Students researched their assigned element and design a tile that illustrated the history, discovery, uses of the element, and physical/chemical properties. Family groups (e.g. Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens) were indicated by a 1” border corresponding to this colour-coded Periodic Table .
• Atomic Properties
• Description of the meaning/relevance of your artwork

We used a Random Name Picker to assign each element to a student. To ensure an even distribution, we assigned blocks of elements to each class (i.e. #1-10, 31-40 for Class A, #11-20, 41-50 for Class B, #21-30, 51-60 for Class C, etc). This was repeated for several semesters until we had a minimum of one completed tile for each element.

When we started the project, we asked students to help collect CD cases and the majority were donated through online classifieds , and colleagues and friends de-cluttering their basements. Once we had a collection of used CD cases, only the final CD booklet was required. We recommend collecting as many CD cases you can so you can swap out cracked/damaged cases. A template for the CD booklet was provided as a PDF and PowerPoint file for students to edit.

After two years and 500+ students, a jury of students organized and chose which elements to display!

Attachments

Step 2: Building the Periodic Table Display

• Two ¾” 4’x8’ Plywood Sheets ( Sanded Purebond Aspen )
• Behr Marquee Interior Paint with Primer Satin Enamel 8 oz. Samplers (Red, Yellow, Green & Blue)
• 8x9/16 Wafer Hd Screw 500 Pcs
• Paint rollers, paint trays, foam brushes
• 11/64 Drill bit & Power Drills
• Safety Goggles

We laid out all the elements and decided on a 1” spacing between the cases (approx. width of a meter stick). Seeing all the elements gave us an idea of how BIG the display was going to be and inspired us to break it down into the " spdf blocks " based on the electron configuration. This also solved the problem of transporting full sheets of plywood, and let us add a punch of colour! A little bit of math and optimization got all four blocks onto two 4’x8’ plywood sheets that were cut down at Home Depot. We painted the blocks with two/three coats of water-based Interior Paint + Primer in Satin Enamel. We would highly recommend this paint; it was fast drying, easy to clean-up, had excellent coverage, and did not require sanding. Since we needed small amounts in several colours, we opted for 8 oz. sampler sizes (Red = 1, Blue = 2, Green = 2, Yellow = 3).

To avoid cracking the CD cases, we drilled pilot holes in the back of the CD cases using a 11/64 drill bit. The cases were then mounted using screws.

We marked where we wanted the blocks installed on the concrete wall using green painter’s tape, and put in a work order for the carpenter to complete the installation. 4”x4” scrap blocks were also installed to mount some of additional pieces.

Step 3: All the Extras

• ¼ “ Plywood
• 3 mm Acrylic from Plastic World
• Finishing nails, sandpaper
• Gorilla Super Glue

Varathane Diamond Wood Finish - Int. (Water, Satin) & Foam Brushes

I've always wanted to learn how to use a laser cutter, and found an “Intro to 2D CAD and Lasercutting” workshop at our local makerspace, ylab . Perfect! All the extras were designed in DraftSight . The Caution sign, Hydrogen blimp, and Helium balloon were cut from ¼” Plywood and painted. The Acknowledgements sign was also cut from ¼” Plywood and inlaid with 3 mm acrylic. To make up the difference in thickness, 1/8” MDF inlays were dropped in beneath the coloured acrylic. Everything was glued together with Gorilla SuperGlue, and protected with two coats of varnish. The varnish was milky when brushed on but dried clear within minutes, with a light sanding between coats. The balloon and blimp were mounted onto the scrap 4x4" blocks using finishing nails.

The green acrylic arrow (from Elements # 57-71 Lanthanides and Elements # 89-101 Actinides) was drawn in Draftsight and laser-cut from 3 mm green acrylic. We carefully drilled pilot holes in the acrylic and sandwiched the arrow between the CD cases on the d-block. The head of the arrow rests on a 4x4" scrap block for support.

With the display mounted, it was time to install the student tiles!

Step 4: Installing the Periodic Table (Timelapse)

Thank you to Chem13 News for suggesting we create a time-lapse video of the final installation! We rounded up the minions to install each of the 118 tiles, and set up three cameras on tripods to record the entire process (Nikon D3200, Rebel T7 and Samsung S8).

We used iMovie to stitch together the files, speed up the playback (20x), and insert some background music and transitions. The "Making Of" video was made using screen-capture software.

Royalty-free music was downloaded from Musopen and Bensound . Media release forms were collected for all involved.

Step 5: Final Thoughts

Lessons Learned

We consulted A LOT of people on this project: Art suggested paints and varnishes; Tech lent us equipment and materials; and Media Arts and Music answered our copyright questions . The custodians and maintenance staff helped us install the final project . Random strangers in Home Depot answered our material questions.

You could probably complete this project in less than 2 years! It took us some time to figure out what we wanted to do, what material to use, and the extras took on a life of its own!

Final Budget

• 3/4" Plywood & Screws: $170 CDN
• Paint & Rollers: $60 CDN
• Extras: Acrylic, varnish, glue, 1/4" plywood, drill bits, etc $100 CDN

What's Next?

Although it's only been a few months, our Periodic Table has already undergone some changes! Each of the CD cases can still be opened, so it's easy to swap in new work as students complete the assignment. The lids pop off in case we need to replace any that are damaged.

The plan is the use the Periodic Table Display to introduce/review the Chemistry units with a " Pun with Chemistry worksheet " or a "Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt" (sample worksheet #1 or worksheet #2 ).

We were also thinking of building an interactive "element" into this display - maybe having future students create videos/podcasts and sticking QR codes in the relevant tiles? Build in some micro-controllers, LEDs, and some sort of mobile app? Embed links to alternative periodic tables - Periodic Spirals? Periodic Stars? Figure out what to do if/when element #119 is added ?

We will see where things will lead us. When we started we didn't know CAD, how to laser-cut or even how to fit two plywood sheets into a hatchback in a snowstorm. We're still learning.

Second Prize in the Classroom Science Contest

Recommendations

Remake It - Autodesk Design & Make - Student Contest

All Things Pi Contest

Making Time Contest