A Research Paper on the Elements, in 3-D

For a combination research project and construction activity, students use the icosahedron (a 20-faced Platonic solid composed of equilateral triangles) as the basic form for a very successful and popular project on the elements. Students research elements and put information about these elements on the faces of their icosahedra, including information about an element's discovery, physical properties, chemical properties, and uses. This paper briefly describes the history and evolution of the activity—Element Icosahedron—and how it has been incorporated in high school chemistry courses.