Lower School
By Stacy Miller and Rebecca Barnett, Elementary Division Science Teachers
Over the past few weeks, MMFS elementary and upper school science students came together to share their research on the elements of the Periodic Table. This dialogue between the younger and older students grew out of a physical science unit in the Cuffe, Fell, and Fox rooms on matter, elements, and compounds, and a focused study of the elements in the upper school chemistry classes. At the elementary school, each student was challenged to collect information on a particular element and organize that information into a costume and a paragraph. At the upper school, each student was challenged to organize their research on a particular element into a slide show presentation. Younger and older students alike demonstrated respect and appreciation for the hard work and bravery required to complete and present research. It was a delight to see the students show such earnest support for each other’s work!
Here are excerpts from elementary school students’ paragraphs.
Caroline (Fell Room)
The element that I am studying is called iron. The symbol for it on the periodic table is Fe and 26 is the atomic number. The number of protons is 26 and the number of electrons is 26. Its state of matter at room temperature is a solid. Its melting point is 1532 degrees Celsius and the boiling point is 2861 degrees Celsius. It is found in medicine, tools, vitamins, and blood. Iron is the most common element in the earth. It makes up the earth’s core.
Justin (Fox Room)
The element that I am studying is called nitrogen. The symbol for nitrogen is N. The number on the Periodic Table is 7. The number of protons is 7. The number of electrons is 7. The state of matter at room temperature is a gas. The melting point is -210.1 degrees Celsius. The boiling point is -195.79 degrees Celsius. Nitrogen is found in air and in humans. It is also in medicine. Nitrogen is a clear gas.
Nick (Cuffe Room)
The element that I am studying is called uranium. The symbol on the periodic table is U. The atomic number is 92. Uranium has 92 protons and 92 electrons. Uranium’s state of matter at room temperature is a solid. Uranium’s melting point is 1135 degrees Celsius. The boiling point is 3927 degrees Celsius. You can find a small amount of uranium in humans and the oceans. Uranium was discovered in 1789 in Germany. It is also in the Earth’s crust and in the universe. As you can see, uranium is a very interesting, radioactive element.
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