Purpose
Students will investigate how atomic structure and periodic patterns explain the properties, reactions, and uses of materials in their community. They will address: How is learning about atoms, the periodic table, and nuclear processes essential to daily life, and how do the building blocks of atoms shape the materials and reactions around us? Collaborative teams will develop and revise models and evidence-based explanations of element properties, simple chemical reactions, and changes during fission, fusion, and radioactive decay. Students will communicate their findings through a public-facing product that connects chemistry concepts to a relevant material, technology, or community issue.
Learning goals
Students will use periodic table patterns and valence electrons to predict and justify the relative properties of elements. They will construct and revise evidence-based explanations of simple chemical reactions using atomic structure, periodic trends, and chemical behavior. Students will develop models showing how nuclei change during fission, fusion, and radioactive decay and how energy is released. Through collaborative investigation and presentation, they will explain why atomic science matters in daily life and how atoms shape familiar materials and reactions.
Products
Student teams will create an evidence-based periodic table map that models valence-electron patterns and predicts relative element properties. They will develop and revise particle-level explanations of a simple chemical reaction using atomic structure, periodic trends, and chemical-property patterns. Each student will build a labeled model comparing changes to atomic nuclei and energy release during fission, fusion, and radioactive decay. Teams will combine these products into an interactive “Atoms in Daily Life” exhibit that answers both essential questions through a locally relevant material or reaction, then present it and reflect on collaboration, feedback, and revisions.
Launch
Begin with a “Matter in Our Lives” mystery investigation featuring safe, familiar materials such as aluminum foil, copper wire, graphite, salt, and sealed glow sticks. Teams observe properties, examine evidence from a teacher-led reaction demonstration, and use periodic-table patterns to propose how atomic structure explains each material’s behavior. Introduce images of smoke detectors, nuclear power, and stars to prompt initial models of radioactive decay, fission, and fusion. Teams share their models and questions, then discuss: How is learning about these topics essential to our daily life, and how do the building blocks of atoms shape the materials and reactions we see around us?
Exhibition
Host a “Matter in Our Lives” science expo where teams present an interactive model or display connecting atomic structure and periodic trends to a familiar material or reaction. Each exhibit should use outermost electrons to predict element properties, explain and revise the outcome of a simple chemical reaction, and model nuclear changes and energy release in fission, fusion, or radioactive decay. Students will rotate through roles as presenter, model demonstrator, and audience facilitator while classmates, families, and community members ask questions and provide feedback. Teams will conclude by explaining why atomic science matters in daily life and how atoms’ building blocks shape the materials and reactions around us.
