Created byVicki Burns

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Periodic Table Escape Room

Grade 6Science1 days

In this 6th-grade science project, students participate in a Periodic Table Escape Room to apply their knowledge of the periodic table and properties of matter to solve real-world challenges. The escape room incorporates puzzles focused on comparing states of matter, differentiating types of mixtures, identifying elements as metals/nonmetals/metalloids, comparing densities, and recognizing evidence of chemical changes. Students will engage in activities like a 'Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt' to identify and classify elements based on their properties. Reflection prompts encourage students to consider how the activity enhanced their understanding and its real-world applications.

Periodic TableStates of MatterMixturesElementsDensityChemical ChangesEscape Room

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use our understanding of the periodic table and the properties of matter to solve real-world challenges and escape the room?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can the arrangement of the periodic table help us understand the properties of elements?
How do the properties of solids, liquids, and gases differ, and how are these differences related to their structure and energy?
How can we differentiate between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures based on their physical properties?
How do the physical properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids influence their uses?
How can density be used to compare different substances?
What evidence indicates that a chemical change has occurred, leading to the formation of a new substance?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to compare and contrast the properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
Students will be able to differentiate between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures.
Students will be able to identify elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids based on their properties and location on the periodic table.
Students will be able to compare the density of different substances.
Students will be able to identify evidence of chemical changes.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge of the periodic table and properties of matter to solve puzzles.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

6.6(A)

Primary

compare solids, liquids, and gasses in terms of their structure, shape, volume, and kinetic energy of atoms and moleculesReason: Directly addresses the comparison of states of matter, a core element of the escape room puzzles.

6.6(B)

Primary

investigate the physical properties of matter to distinguish between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures (solutions), and heterogeneous mixturesReason: Focuses on differentiating types of matter based on properties, which is crucial for puzzle solving.

6.6(C)

Primary

identify elements on the periodic table as metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and rare Earth elements based on their physical properties and importance to modern lifeReason: Central to understanding the periodic table and element properties, a key component of the escape room.

6.6(D)

Secondary

compare the density of substances relative to various fluidsReason: Involves comparing densities, a skill that can be applied in puzzles related to identifying substances.

6.6(E)

Secondary

identify the formation of a new substance by using the evidence of a possible chemical change, including production of a gas, change in thermal energy, production of a precipitate, and color changeReason: Addresses identifying chemical changes, which could be incorporated into a puzzle involving chemical reactions.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Substance Spill

A simulated chemical spill occurs in the classroom, with an unknown substance leaking. Students must analyze the substance's properties (density, reactivity, state of matter) to identify it using clues from the periodic table and determine the appropriate safety protocol, sparking curiosity about element identification and properties.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt

Students embark on a 'scavenger hunt' using the periodic table to identify elements based on their properties and classify them as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. This activity directly supports their ability to solve element-related puzzles in the escape room.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Provide students with a list of clues related to the properties of different elements (e.g., conductivity, luster, state at room temperature).

2. Using the periodic table, students identify the elements that match each clue.

3. Classify each identified element as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid, based on its position on the periodic table and its properties.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed scavenger hunt worksheet, with elements identified, classified, and their importance to modern life noted.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 6.6(C): identify elements on the periodic table as metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and rare Earth elements based on their physical properties and importance to modern life. Addresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids based on their properties and location on the periodic table.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt Rubric

Category 1

Element Identification

Accuracy in identifying elements based on provided property clues.

Criterion 1

Accuracy of Identification

The degree to which students correctly identify elements matching the property clues.

Exemplary

4 Points

Identifies all elements correctly, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of element properties and their relationship to the clues.

Proficient

3 Points

Identifies most elements correctly, showing a strong understanding of element properties and their relationship to the clues.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some elements correctly, indicating a basic understanding of element properties, but with some inaccuracies.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify elements correctly, demonstrating a limited understanding of element properties and their relationship to the clues.

Category 2

Classification of Elements

Correctly categorizing elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.

Criterion 1

Classification Accuracy

The degree to which students correctly classify identified elements into their appropriate categories (metal, nonmetal, metalloid).

Exemplary

4 Points

Classifies all elements correctly as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the periodic table's organization.

Proficient

3 Points

Classifies most elements correctly, showing a strong understanding of the periodic table's organization and element categories.

Developing

2 Points

Classifies some elements correctly, indicating a basic understanding of element categories, but with some misclassifications.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to classify elements correctly, demonstrating a limited understanding of element categories and the periodic table's organization.

Category 3

Application of Knowledge

Explanation of the importance of elements to modern life.

Criterion 1

Relevance and Depth

The relevance and depth of the student's explanation of the importance of identified elements to modern life.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides comprehensive and insightful explanations of the importance of each element to modern life, demonstrating advanced research and critical thinking skills.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides clear and relevant explanations of the importance of most elements to modern life, demonstrating effective research and critical thinking skills.

Developing

2 Points

Provides basic explanations of the importance of some elements to modern life, indicating some research and critical thinking, but with limited depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to explain the importance of elements to modern life, demonstrating limited research or critical thinking skills.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

How did your understanding of the periodic table and element properties evolve as you worked through the escape room challenges?

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Question 2

Which of the puzzles was the most challenging, and what strategies did you use to overcome the difficulties?

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Question 3

To what extent do you agree that the escape room activity helped you better understand the differences between solids, liquids, and gases?

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Question 4

How confident are you in your ability to differentiate between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures after completing the escape room?

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Question 5

In what ways might the concepts you learned in this escape room be applied to real-world situations or problems?

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