Elements in the Periodic Table

Introduction

Introduction to the WebQuest:

Dear Scientists:

Buckle up for this Excellent Elements WebQuest!!

You are about to begin a GIANT mission that focuses on the TINIEST particles on Earth: atoms and elements!

You will learn that 118 elements make up every single thing (living and non-living) known to exist; yet, each element is comprised of the same 4 parts. Since scientists are organized, it should be no surprise that these 118 elements are displayed neatly in a periodic table.

At the conclusion of this WebQuest, YOU will be making history by creating a brand new element…Element #119! Thanks to you, the periodic table will never be the same again!!

Get ready to work hard, stay focused, collaborate nicely with fellow scientists…. and have fun!!

Task

Your Task:

Before having the opportunity to make history by discovering the 119th known element, the Scientific Community expects that you & your colleague have a basic understanding of atoms and elements. You must prove your knowledge by answering the 5 questions listed below. Your pair has the choice of answering the questions in your Science Notebooks or online using Microsoft Word. Answers must be numbered & written in complete sentences.

Here are the questions:

All elements are made of atoms. What is an atom?
Name and describe the 4 parts of an atom.
The periodic table contains 118 known elements. Explain the information about each element that is contained within each box of the periodic table.
How is the atomic number of an element determined?
Name and describe the 3 phases that elements can be at room temperature.

Here is the website you are to use to research each question: https://www.ducksters.com/

Process

Complete each step with your partner:

Turn in your answers to the 5 questions asked in the “Task” portion of this WebQuest.

Become an expert on 4 elements from the periodic table.
- You/your partner will pick 4 random pieces of paper out of my Element Hat. You will research the 4 elements you select
- Open Microsoft PowerPoint & create a presentation with 4 slides
  - Here is what must be on each slide:
    - Element Name
    - Atomic Number
    - What element looks like at room temperature
    - How is that element used today
    - A picture of the element
- Use https://www.ducksters.com/ to locate information about each element
- Share your PowerPoint slides with me via email

Draw & label an element from the periodic table.
- Choose any 1 of the elements you picked from the Element Hat
- On a white piece of construction paper…
  - Copy exactly what that element looks like in its box on the periodic table
  - Use arrows to label and describe each part of the box
- Use https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/periodic-table.html#sb51

Create your own element. HAVE FUN WITH THIS…THE MORE CREATIVE, THE BETTER!
- Brainstorm with your partner to create an element that does not exist on Earth. You must include the following information about your new element:
  - Name of element
  - Symbol
  - Atomic number
  - Characteristics & properties of your element
    - Include at least 3 properties
    - Draw a picture of your element
  - Where is your element found on Earth
  - How can your element help people
- You will complete this section on the “Create Your Own Element” worksheet

Evaluation

RUBRIC

Here is how you will be graded on this WebQuest:

4

The team answered all 5 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately and in complete sentences.
The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements, and each slide contained the required information.
The team neatly and accurately drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper.
The team created an original element and included all information about that element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet.

3

The team answered all 5 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately but did not answer in complete sentences, or the team was missing 2 or less expected details in their answers.
The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; however, the slides were missing 2 or less expected details.
The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper; however, 2 or less components were missing.
The team created an original element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet, but 2 or less components were missing.

2

The team answered 3 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately, or did not answer in complete sentences while missing 3-4 expected details in answer.
The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; however, the slides were missing 3-4 expected details.
The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper; however, 3-4 expected components were missing.
The team created an original element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet, but 3-4 components were missing.

1

The team answered less than 3 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately, or did not answer in complete sentences while missing more than 4 expected details in answer.
The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with less than 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; and/or the slides were missing more than 4 expected details.
The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element in a sloppy or incomplete manner; very difficult to read.
The team created an element that is not original and lacked any creativity; at least 3 components were missing.

Conclusion

Well done, Scientists!!

You’ve changed the world by creating the 119th element. The periodic table will never be the same again! During this Excellent Elements WebQuest, you accomplished the following goals:

Research and locate information using the Internet and other resources.
Collaborate with a classmate to accomplish a shared task.
Define ‘atom’ and describe its 4 components.
Explain the information contained in the periodic table of elements.
Describe ‘atomic number’.
Brainstorm with a peer to create an original element.

Here are a few questions to think about as you reflect on this WebQuest:

How are all atoms similar? How are they different?
How is the periodic table of elements organized?
Are all elements helpful to people? Are any harmful?
Do you think scientists will ever discover or create new elements?

If you are interested in learning more about elements & atoms, here are a few additional resources for further exploration:

Different ways to organize the 118 elements: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/periodic-table/
Elements Found in the Human Body – Function & Significance: https://www.healthcareontime.com/health-tips/elements-of-importance-for-human-body#:~:text=The%20important%20elements%20for%20the,sodium%2C%20chlorine%2C%20and%20magnesium
Harmful Elements: https://www.osha.gov/toxic-metals

Credits

Here are the awesome & easy-to-use resources to help with this WebQuest:

Ducksters: this is a search-engine for kids that makes finding information super easy!

https://www.ducksters.com/science/elements.php

Chem4Kids: this is a science-related search engine for kids. Information is easy to find & on-grade level for students.

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elem_intro.html

Interactive Periodic Table of Elements: this is a fun, interactive periodic table. Click & learn!

https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/periodic-table.html#sb51

The Atom: this is a website that contains pictures & labels for each part of an atom.

https://www.ducksters.com/science/the_atom.php

Real Life Uses of Every Element: explains how each of the 118 elements affects people.

https://interestingengineering.com/science/real-life-use-every-element-periodic-table

Three States of Matter: a simple explanation/picture of the 3 states of matter.

https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-states-of-matter/

Finding Key Words on a Website: contains helpful hints on locating key words on a webpage.

https://libguides.coloradomesa.edu/c.php?g=1117473&p=8148996

Video about the Periodic Table (8 min.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaphzFWDtw

Video - Periodic Table of Elements Song (47 min.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_9KTww6DiU

Teacher Page

Mr. Glenn is super proud of your hard work & collaboration on this Excellent Elements WebQuest!!

Elements in the Periodic Table

Introduction to the WebQuest:

Your Task:

Complete each step with your partner:

RUBRIC

4

The team answered all 5 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately and in complete sentences.

The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements, and each slide contained the required information.

The team neatly and accurately drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper.

The team created an original element and included all information about that element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet.

3

The team answered all 5 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately but did not answer in complete sentences, or the team was missing 2 or less expected details in their answers.

The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; however, the slides were missing 2 or less expected details.

The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper; however, 2 or less components were missing.

The team created an original element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet, but 2 or less components were missing.

2

The team answered 3 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately, or did not answer in complete sentences while missing 3-4 expected details in answer.

The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; however, the slides were missing 3-4 expected details.

The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element from the periodic table on the assigned construction paper; however, 3-4 expected components were missing.

The team created an original element on the ‘Create Your Own Element’ worksheet, but 3-4 components were missing.

1

The team answered less than 3 questions from the ‘Task’ section accurately, or did not answer in complete sentences while missing more than 4 expected details in answer.

The team created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with less than 4 slides to share information about their 4 elements; and/or the slides were missing more than 4 expected details.

The team drew, labeled, and described the components of 1 element in a sloppy or incomplete manner; very difficult to read.

The team created an element that is not original and lacked any creativity; at least 3 components were missing.

Well done, Scientists!!

Let me know if you think of any topics you'd like to see on a future WebQuest!