Element Webquest

Most people recognize hydrogen and are fearful of mercury, but what do you really know about these chemical elements? How were they discovered? How did they get their names? What are their properties? These questions will be addressed as you research one of these elements. As you complete this webquest, you will find out how, when, and where your element was discovered, what are its physical and chemical properties, how it is used, and various other pieces of valuable information.

Click on the links below to find out your task, the process and resources you are to use to complete your task and finally how you will be evaluated.

Select an element from the Periodic Table that has not already been researched
Complete the Element Choice Form and have your choice approved
Investigate how, when, where, and by whom, your element was discovered
Determine your element's physical properties
Determine your element's chemical properties
Investigate the uses of you element
Present this information about your element on the 20 sides of an icosahedron -- See examples at right

Silver Icosahedron

Zirconium Icosahedron

Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (CRC)	Available in the Chemistry classroom
Merck Index	Available in the Chemistry classroom
Exploring Chemical Elements and Their Compounds	Available in the Chemistry classroom
Braving the Elements	Available in the Chemistry classroom
Discovery of the Elements	Available in the Chemistry classroom
American Chemical Society's Periodic Table	Contains information about all of the elements. Once you open this page, click on the element and a box will open with information about that element.
Interactive Periodic Table	Scroll down to the Periodic Table and click on your element's symbol to link to information about your element.
WebElements Periodic Table	Scroll down to the Periodic Table and click on the element's symbol to link to information about your element.
Visual Periodic Table	Contains information about all of the elements. Once you open this page, double click on the PERIODIC TABLE button in the lower, middle portion of the screen.
Nuclear Decay Information	Contains information about all of the elements. Click on the isotope for the particular element that you desire decay information about. A new window will open and then you can follow the decay process for that isotope.
Virtual Chemical Dictionary	Contains a dictionary of Chemical terms with an index at the top of the page.
It's Elemental	Chemical + Engineering News. Contains information about all the elements. Click on the element to obtain the information.

Element Choice	5 pts -- 1 pt deduction if element chosen is NOT available
ROUGH Draft Bibliography	10 pts -- Sources correct, format correct 7 pts -- Sources correct, format incorrect 4 pts -- Incomplete sources, format correct 2 pts -- Incomplete sources, format incorrect
Note Cards	20 pts -- All required information complete 15 pts -- Missing one piece of required information 10 pts -- Missing two pieces of required information 5 pts -- Missing three pieces of required information
Concept Map	20 pts -- All note cards connected correctly 15 pts -- No more than 2 note cards not connected correctly 10 pts -- No more than 4 note cards not connected correctly 5 pts -- More than 5 note cards not connected correctly
Icosahedron	100 points total Discovery Information -- 12 pts Who, how, when, where -- 4 pts each Physical Properties -- 20 pts At least 5 -- 4 pts each Chemical Properties -- 18 pts Electron configuration -- 2 pts At least 4 others -- 4 pts each Uses -- 20 pts At least 5 -- 4 pts each Some elements may not have this many Assembly -- 15 pts Properly assembled, no hanger -- 10 pts Not properly assembled -- 5 pts Design -- 15 pts** Not appropriate to Element -- 5 pts (i.e. - glitter on non-metallic element) Appropriate size triangles -- 5 pts Minimal design -- 5 pts
Final Bibliography	15 pts -- Sources correct, format correct 10 pts -- Sources correct, incorrect format 5 pts -- Incomplete sources, format correct 2 pts -- Incomplete sources, incorrect format

Chemical Elements: No Longer A Mystery?