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.
Supplement
Icosaheron patterns, project guidelines, topical electronic information resources; directions for the project as implemented by two other teachers who developed the activity before modifications by this author
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
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