Lab 18 – Periodic Table (Cupcakes)
CONTENT adjustments. At a first glance, this activity might rightfully be considered to be a family and consumer science (FCS) activity rather than a natural science activity. For some schools, this would be an excellent opportunity to collaborate/overlap in the different disciplines. That alone may serve as sufficient reason to undertake the effort. But here, the emphasis is on 118 cupcakes as representative of the separate elements with an intentional focus on the Periodic Table as a communication tool and model.
Example 1 with emphasis on Chemistry
Assign individual students, student pairs, or small teams to bake specific groups of cupcakes. As one possible example, assign the following “cupcake” families:
- alkali metals
- alkaline earth metals
- scandium, titanium, vanadium families
- chromium, manganese, iron families
- cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc families
- boron family
- carbon family
- nitrogen family
- oxygen family
- fluorine family
- noble elements
Agree upon the color of icing to use per each element, or for like-kind family groups.
Example 2 with emphasis on Earth Science or Biology
Similar to modification shown above, use this as an opportunity to contrast the naturally occuring major elements found on Earth to all others. Or contrast elements strongly associated with life to those not strongly associated with life:
10 Most Abundant Elements on Earth’s Crust (%)
- Oxygen (46)
- Silicon (28)
- Aluminum (8)
- Iron (6)
- Calcium (4)
- Sodium (2.4)
- Magnesium (2.3)
- Potassium (2.1)
- Titanium (0.5)
- Hydrogen (0.2)
Most Abundant Elements in Living Things
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Sulfur
Explanation …
This activity best used in small classes (12 or fewer students). Students make (bake) a total of 118 cupcakes, labeling each with an element abbreviation. Icing color may or may not be chosen to illustrate groups (e.g., halogens, transition metals, inert elements). Using the cupcakes as a type of “manipulative” students predict, discuss, and discern element families and groupings, like-kind elements, chemical bonding, and other concepts.
NOTE: Students should wear sanitary, protective gloves while handling the cupcakes. This is especially true if the cupcakes are subsequently shared with other students. Remember to obtain permission for food products in the class (if school policy requires this). Avoid the use of any peanut-based products (especially). For small, rural schools where grade school children are located in proximity to the high school, this activity may additionally serve as an encouragement device to elevate interest of younger students in science. (That is, have your high school students show the cupcake model to the younger students – then serve each of them a delicious cupcake).
Large Class Alternative – “People” Periodic Table
Review an alternative activity called “People Periodic Table” if the class has sufficient number of students.
Extract: Understanding the organizational framework and predictive powers of the periodic table is paramount in preparing students for success in chemistry. An interactive classroom activity was developed to engage students as they analyzed and evaluated the repeating trends in physical and chemical properties of elements displayed on the periodic table. This activity transforms the class into a “representative” periodic table, with each student portraying a unique element as they analyze their relation to their elemental neighbors, evaluate statements regarding their periodic peers, and explore of the power of periodicity present within the periodic table. Prior to this activity, the students correctly answered just over 10% of the questions asking them to evaluate periodic trends, while after the activity the students correctly answered over 50% of the questions covering the same content. Student feedback was positive and highlighted the interactive and engaging qualities of the activity. The People Periodic Table activity is flexible enough to be used in nearly any introductory chemistry class to enhance student engagement and learning with respect to the periodic table’s organization, predictive powers, and trends.
Suggested Related Topics
This activity is a recommended topic enhancer for the following topics:
- 15 Physical Science Periodic Table
- 15 Chemistry Using the Periodic Table
- 16 Earth Science – Earth’s Chemistry
Instructor Emphasis:
- Lab emphasis: Lab Safety (PPE, use gloves)
- Science and engineering practices: Develop and use models, Communicate information
- Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns