In a brief essay, describe the organization of the Periodic Table. Explain the meaning of the columns and rows. Give examples of the characteristics shared by groups of elements in different areas of the table. Make a proposal to the U.S. Senate, asking for a holiday to honor Dimitri Mendeleyev. Present your proposal in writing or in a speech.
Outline plans for a public awareness campaign in support of the new holiday.
In a two-paragraph essay, compare and contrast the first computers with today's. Make sure you go beyond simple descriptions to identify specific similarities and differences. Ask silicon about its history, forms in nature, and role in the computer industry. Have teams research where their element is found and how it is extracted for use as a resource. Label a world map with sources of the various elements, using symbols from the Periodic Table.