Relevant initiatives

Periodic table

Università degli Studi di Camerino Scuola di Scienze e Tecnologie

2010 - 2012

National

No

Video, Didactical resource

Chemistry

Italian

Teachers, Students

The web site introduces and examines in depth the Period Table.
The structure of the periodic table as well as its historical development are presented.
For each element of the Periodic Table is available a data sheet with: general description, pictures, video, history and possible applications.
It would be appropriate to exploit this tool in order to enable students to distinguish the properties of simple substances from the attributes that define the concept of chemical element.

The general idea of this initiative is very simple but effective, as well the website’s homepage. The visitor will picture on the front page an interactive periodic table.
With a click on different elements he can enter into specific deepening sections (e.g. for hydrogen http://www.tavolaperiodica.unicam.it/001H/H.html).
Furthermore, the portal offers a guide to read the periodic table (http://www.tavolaperiodica.unicam.it/introduzione.html), an historical excursus of the periodic table (http://www.tavolaperiodica.unicam.it/sviluppo.html) and many videos about experiments with the elements (http://www.tavolaperiodica.unicam.it/videolist.html).

The website shows the activity in a clear manner and it is of good impact to the visitor, both teacher and student. The Periodic table is not only an activity but a tool for everybody has to cope with chemistry and its use must be simple and intuitive, as this table is. The digital version add to the periodic table the advantage of carrying additional contents, without pounding to the graphic vest dress: a click can show and another click can hide every extra-information. The Table is then a portal that offers a guide to read a periodic table offering also a historical point of view. Video with experiments on the elements add a taste of adventure and the curiosity of science exploration in the youngest students, while in the oldest could be the start of class discussions. The transferability to class is broad for type of school and age level. The access is free. The loading speed of the videos can be improved.

The students appreciated very much this portal. They consider it a valid tool where they can find a lot of important information about elements from different point of view.
Almost all the students agree with the design of the website. They like also the videos that they found interesting and amusing. Sometimes they found slow the loading of videos.