American Chemical Society adds twist to the periodic table

Researchers at the American Chemical Society (ACS) have introduced an innovative way to learn the elements of periodic table. According to the Journal of Chemical Education, they made learning the periodic table more approachable by using a ‘pseudo’ periodic table filled with superheroes, foods and apps. 

The introductory chemistry course in the first-year undergraduate programme deals with interpreting the layout of the periodic table and multiple learning concepts are being used to learn the elements. 

Gregory Watson, one of the researchers, said that introducing the periodic table with familiar items could help students. Researchers also suggested that educators focus on key characteristics of the elements using contemporary, multi-level and engaging strategies. 

The team of researchers presented a ‘pseudo’ periodic table to the first-year chemistry students, replacing elements with relevant items including fruits, nuts, superheroes, and iPad apps, among others. Each item demonstrates one or more concepts matching the real element as arranged in the real periodic table. The relevant items reduce stress and help students successfully learn the fundamentals of elements and the entire periodic table, according to the researchers.