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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2009  > October  >
survey
In the Classroom
Matching Element Symbols with State Abbreviations
A Fun Activity for Browsing the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements
Klaus Woelk
Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409-0010
Cover
October 2009
Vol. 86 No. 10
p. 1205
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.
Supplement
Interactive presentation slide to conduct the activity in the classroom (formatted for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007); One-page version (PDF) of the activity for individual challenge; List of element symbols matching two-letter combinations on German license plates
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Contents
  JCE2009p1205W.pdf
 
JCE2009p1205W.zip
Folder JCE2009p1205W containing JCE2009p1205W.docx (Microsoft Word) and JCE2009p1205W.ppt and JCE2009p1205W.pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint)
 
More Information
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Citation
Woelk, Klaus. J. Chem. Educ. 2009, 86, 1205.
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Keywords
Descriptive Chemistry; First-Year Undergraduate / General; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Humor / Puzzles / Games; Nonmajor Courses; Public Understanding / Outreach
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
8/25/2009
9/8/2009
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