Students learn about the periodic table and how pervasive the elements are in our daily lives. After reviewing the table organization and facts about the first 20 elements, they play an element identification game. They also learn that engineers incorporate these elements into the design of new products and processes. Acting as computer and animation engineers, students creatively express their new knowledge by creating a superhero character based on of the elements they now know so well. They will then pair with another superhero and create a dynamic duo out of the two elements, which will represent a molecule.

To become familiar with the transfer of energy in the form of quantum, students perform flame tests, which is one way chemical engineers identify elements by observing the color emitted when placed in a flame. After calculating and then preparing specific molarity solutions of strontium chloride, copper II chloride and potassium chloride (good practice!), students observe the distinct colors each solution produces when placed in a flame, determine the visible light wavelength, and apply that data to identify the metal in a mystery solution. They also calculate the frequency of energy for the solutions.

Through three lessons and their four associated activities, students are introduced to concepts related to mixtures and solutions. Students consider how mixtures and solutions and atoms and molecules can influence new technologies developed by engineers. To begin, students explore the fundamentals of atoms and their structures. The building blocks of matter (protons, electrons, neutrons) are covered in detail. The next lesson examines the properties of elements and the periodic table one method of organization for the elements. The concepts of physical and chemical properties are also reviewed. Finally, the last lesson introduces the properties of mixtures and solutions. A comparison of different mixtures and solutions, their properties and their separation qualities are explored.

This site has a periodic table on it. When you click on each element, it brings up information about it. Site is organized, detailed, and helpful for learning.

This WebElements site provides a great deal of elemental information. There are audio files demonstrating the correct pronunciation of the element name, pictures showing the electron shells, and information on isotopes, properties and more.

This WebElementssite provides a great deal of elemental information. There are audio files demonstrating the correct pronunciation of the element name, pictures showing the electron shells, and information on isotopes, properties and more.

This lesson will introduce scalars, and demonstrate how to perform scalar multiplication with matrices. It is 2 of 10 in the series titled "Scalar Multiplication." [3:01]

Students learn how to classify materials as mixtures, elements or compounds and identify the properties of each type. The concept of separation of mixtures is also introduced since nearly every element or compound is found naturally in an impure state such as a mixture of two or more substances, and it is common that chemical engineers use separation techniques to separate mixtures into their individual components. For example, the separation of crude oil into purified hydrocarbons such as natural gas, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and/or lubricants.

Dr. Chris Muhlstein explains the challenge of studying materials that are too small to see with the naked eye. The technique some scientists use to observe individual atoms is similar to the technique of using touch to find out the size, shape, and location of objects in a small room. [1:05]

A listing of all sorts of available reports on bismuth. Great resources for students at many levels.

This lesson plan examines the properties of elements and the periodic table. Students learn the basic definition of an element and the 18 elements that build most of the matter in the universe. The periodic table is described as one method of organization for the elements. The concepts of physical and chemical properties are also reviewed.

This lesson provides real-world examples that demonstrate how to organize data into matrices. It is 3 of 5 in the series titled "Using Matrices to Organize Data." [4:43]

This lesson provides real-world examples that demonstrate how to organize data into matrices. It is 4 of 5 in the series titled "Using Matrices to Organize Data." [8:40]

This lesson provides real-world examples that demonstrate how to organize data into matrices. It is 5 of 5 in the series titled "Using Matrices to Organize Data." [2:51]

Students and teachers can use this site to find detailed information on effective and creative story writing.