Document Type

Graduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Summer 2004

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Committee Chair

Leland Chapman

Second Committee Member

Steven W. Nourse

Third Committee Member

Jack L. McPherson

Abstract

The blueprint to the world of chemistry is encoded in the periodic table of the elements. This fundamental chart can be found in virtually all science classrooms in the world. The purpose of this project was to design a professional development course focusing on the periodic table of the elements. The target audience is college students working towards teaching science as a career, current teachers looking to enhance their understanding of the table, and resident teachers working towards continuing certification. In order to accomplish this purpose extensive literary research, the Washington State Academic Learning Requirements for science, published science lessons, and chemistry textbooks were all evaluated, reviewed, and utilized. Additionally, numerous other related sources of research were collected and reviewed. The activities presented are designed to provide an historical development of the table, hands-on laboratory activities investigating the properties of elements, and practical application of the table for introductory use in the classroom.

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