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Matching Element Symbols with State Abbreviations. A Fun Activity for Browsing the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements

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Klaus Woelk

Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409-0010

J. Chem. Educ., 2009, 86 (10), p 1205

DOI: 10.1021/ed086p1205

Publication Date (Web): October 1, 2009

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A classroom activity is presented in which students are challenged to find matches between the United States two-letter postal abbreviations for states and chemical element symbols. The activity aims to lessen negative apprehensions students might have when the periodic table of the elements with its more than 100 combinations of letters is first introduced. Teachers might use the activity to convey knowledge about specific areas of the periodic table, such as metals and nonmetals, main group and transition elements, or stable and radioactive elements. Material for a take-home version of the activity is provided and an adaptation for other countries is suggested.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Public Understanding / Outreach

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Humor / Puzzles / Games

Keywords (Subject):

Descriptive Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

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  In chemistry classes, two of the first things students typically learn are the names and symbols for the chemical elements. Oral recitation is one strategy commonly used to teach this information, but games can make the learning process more enjoyable for ...
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