An Element Research Project - Chemistry (Physical and Environmental Sciences)

This is an "adopt an element" style research project with a twist (that works well for middle or high school students). Students are tasked with researching elements with unique histories and interesting uses; some have surprising effects on the human body and/or environment. Case in point: Mercury!

The provided sample research slides profile the intriguing element Hg. My students were surprised to learn that Mad Hatter Syndrome is real and excited to start their own research to present to the class.

This project works well for reviewing basic chemistry (such as physical vs. chemical properties, atomic number, and subatomic particles). I've used it in a general science class, as well as honors biology and chemistry classes at the start of the year (and it is a distance learning-friendly project).

★ What I love about this project is that it also allows students to build an understanding and appreciation for how unique individual elements are; students discover that elements can have profound impacts on our health and environment (tying together multiple science disciplines).

✏️ Note: This zip file contains PDFs. Looking for an EDITABLE Google Classroom version? Click here.

*************************

More about what’s included...

• a 2-page student packet with the task & detailed instructions for the project; it also includes a simple scoring guide and suggested websites for research (PDFs)

• a student sign-up sheet with 25 options (and room for more if needed)

• a simple scoring guide for teacher grading & teacher tips sheet (PDFs)

• a sample student slideshow (4 slides) to inspire students & note-taker should students present their slideshows (PDFs)

Have a question? Send me an email at brilliantdustteacher@gmail.com

*************************

Related Resources & Projects

A Cell Analogy Project (with Options!)

A Year’s Worth of Bio Bell Ringers (PowerPoint/PDFs) Vol. 1-8 (editable!)

Clean Drinking Water Unit with Project (Teach for Justice)

Exploring the Evidence: Human Evolution

FREE Marie Curie Classroom Poster

FREE Film Guide for PBS’ Poisoned Water

Inspirational Scientists & Quotes Posters

Online Biome Research Project

Radioactive - Marie Curie Movie Guide

The Lorax Real-World Environmental Issues Research Project

Women in Science Research Activity

*************************

Enjoy! Want credit for future purchases? Don't forget to review products to get TpT credit for your next purchase (go to your purchases and click "review").

✏️ Interested in more flexible projects? Follow me here to get updates! I'm working on adapting more of my favorites!

I’m a science educator with a background in lab research, a passion for the classroom, and now, homeschooling my little scientists. Thanks for checking out my resources!

Important Terms of Use

This resource was created for single classroom use only (as a teacher, you are free to use this for your classes). Multiple licenses are available at a discount. Please do not post this resource online (with the exception of password-protected platforms granting digital access only to your students). Thank you for respecting teacher authorship!

Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Copyright 2021 by Brilliant Dust. All rights reserved by the author.