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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 25
(2020) pp 146-150
Abbreviation Puzzles for the Periodic Table
Peyton Bellflower and Thomas Manning*
Chemistry Department, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31698, tmanning@valdosta.edu Received March 20, 2020. Accepted May 28, 2020.
Published: 17 August 2020
Abstract. Puzzles
can be used as an educational exercise for a number of reasons; they emphasize strategy and
familiarize students with a new topic or new words. Crossword puzzles typically
require prior knowledge on a topic while a Sudoku type puzzle is focused on
developing strategy. A type of puzzle, based on abbreviations of the elements,
is developed and presented as an educational exercise. It is not a single
puzzle format but one that can be easily varied for students of different ages
and students with different objectives. The goal is familiarization with the
periodic table, its symbols, the groups as well as physical and chemical
properties, using a strategic approach.
Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; general chemistry; periodic table; STEM activity; puzzle; strategic thinking
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: tmanning@valdosta.edu)
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