Constructing an Annotated Periodic Table Created with Interlocking Building Blocks: A National Chemistry Week Outreach Activity for All Ages

Abstract

An activity for a National Chemistry Week outreach event has been designed in which children construct a periodic table out of LEGO building bricks. During the activity, children followed simple instructions to build the symbol of a particular element onto a 5.25 in. × 5.25 in. LEGO base plate. Squares for all elements were constructed in this manner, resulting in a periodic table composed of over 6000 LEGO pieces. The finished product has been hung on a wall in the science center at Spring Arbor University. The table has unexpectedly become a unique conversation piece that allows for informal chemical education. In addition, high school students and others have added to the charm of the table by designing LEGO creations to place on the squares of certain elements. These LEGO creations are built so as to represent the element on the square on which it is placed. How the table was built, how the construction of the table was used as a hands-on activity at an outreach event, and how people were invited to build LEGO creations to donate to the table are described.

Teaching chemistry with LEGO® bricks

“…Employing the LEGO bricks to build a fun periodic table will spur the students' interest in chemistry significantly. Kuntzleman and coworkers reported a very enjoyable outreach activity in which students built a periodic table of the 114 elements using over 6000 pieces of LEGO bricks (Kuntzleman et al, 2013). The symbol of each element was lined on a 16 stud × 16 stud LEGO square plate, which were color-coded (red for the alkali metals and green for the halogens).…”

Interlocking Toy Building Blocks as Modules for Undergraduate Introductory and General Chemistry Classroom Teaching

“…Chemistry education is a quintessential component of the high school science curriculum and undergraduate science, technology, and engineering programs. Lecturing conveys information, but learning is more effective when students visualize content in the form of pictures, diagrams, and symbols. − Many articles present effective delivery of content aided by visualization methods such as interlocking building blocks, − audio visuals, thermal images, , magnets, icons, dance formations, computer graphics, and models . Likewise, 3D printed modules are popular visualization tools in the chemistry classroom and laboratory. − A survey of these articles indicates that chemistry educators continue to explore new visualization methods.…”

Introducing Students to the Periodic Table Using a Descriptive Approach of Superheroes, Meats, and Fruits and Nuts

“…Several studies have adopted targeted approaches to introduce the periodic table. For example, group learning, , digitally, , through games, − and hands on activities. , Other approaches present the table in a modified form, ,, all of which lend themselves to various forms of blended learning and presentation formats addressing many types of student/teacher learning styles and philosophies. − …”