Middle School Projects on the Periodic Table

The periodic table consists of chemical elements and provides a way for students and scientists to classify, systematize, and compare the forms of chemical behavior. It's used in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and chemical engineering. As of 2011, the period table contains 118 chemical elements. It's normally taught in middle school science and reinforced by in-class activities or projects.

Meet the Elements

Student should be given a list of questions, like what is the periodic table symbol for phosphorus, aluminum or other elements, as well as what elements combine to make a specific item, like propane or sugar. Students should fill in the blanks and share their answers with the class.

Fill in the Blanks

Give students a copy of the periodic table with some of the elements erased. Direct them to fill in the blanks of the missing elements.

Family Outline

Students should outline the elements to which the different chemical elements belong, such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, the boron family, the carbon family, the nitrogen family, oxygen family, halogen family, noble gases, and rare-earth.

Element Word Search

Students should create an outline of the 40 most common elements and create an element word search. They can hide the words vertically, horizontally, diagonally or even backwards. After creating the periodic table word search, students should exchange word searches and complete one created by a classmate.

Bingo

Students should make Bingo cards, filling in each of the 25 squares (except the middle "free space") by writing out the elements with five across and five down so there are a total of 25. The teacher should collect all the cards and redistribute them before beginning a Bingo game.

Presentation

Students could be assigned a chemical element from the periodic table for either a group or individual presentation. They should present on the element, explaining how many atoms, neutrons, and protons it has, who found it, and other information about it from the periodic table. Students should give an example of what the element is found in and what family it belongs to.