Our Year 8 Students recently completed a chemical sciences unit on classifying matter and were tasked with creating a promotional campaign for an element on the periodic table. As well as presenting their assigned element to their peers in a scientific showcase, students completed a research fact sheet, designed an infographic poster and created eye-catching models which are currently displayed in our science display cabinets. The following is a selection of student descriptions of their creative models:
My model is of a meteorite. This model represents my element iron because iron is commonly found in meteorites.
I constructed my model of a meteorite by wrapping aluminium foil around a handful of rocks from my garden. I then spray-painted the aluminium foil using black spray paint, but I also ensured that some silver parts were still visible. The grey, shiny parts of my model represent iron.
I was inspired to make a model of a meteorite as iron is the most naturally found magnetic element. It is the interaction between the magnetic forces in meteorites and on Earth that causes their attraction to each other. This occurs because over 80% of Earth's inner and outer cores are made up of iron. Therefore, this causes meteorites to constantly travel towards and strike Earth.
Layla H 8H
For my model of helium, I chose to create an MRI scanner although looking back it definitely wasn’t the easiest model to make. I chose to work on helium because it has many important practical uses - apart from party balloons of course! Helium is used for rocket fuel, AI and medical imaging and these are just a few examples.
So, how does helium really work in MRI scanners? Helium is crucial to medicine because it is the only element that can get cold enough without freezing solid at -269 degrees Celsius. The liquid helium wraps around the magnets inside the MRI machine cooling the unit and allowing the machine to generate images of body parts. Essentially, without helium, MRI scanners could not exist affecting modern medical diagnostics and treatment.
Charlotte N 8G
My model represents the element mercury using a tuna fish. I drew a tuna and added pieces of tin foil inside it to show the mercury that can build up in fish living in polluted oceans. I chose this idea because tuna is one of the most common examples used when discussing mercury contamination and its effects on both marine life and human health. The shiny foil represents mercury's silvery, metallic appearance and helps make the model visually interesting. To construct my model, I sketched and coloured the fish before attaching the foil to represent the mercury inside it. This model highlights the connection between the element mercury and real-world environmental issues.
Inaya B 8H
My model represents the element Copper (Cu). I created a giant penny because copper has been historically used in coins, including pennies, and is one of the most recognisable uses of copper. I wanted to show how copper is used and that it has an important role in daily life as well as playing an important role in evolution.
To create my model, I used cardboard cut into a circle and stuck together with even more glue with more cardboard in between. I cut out details and used a hot glue to stick onto the base of the coin. After assembling I painted it copper colour. Creating this model helped me understand the many uses of copper in daily life.
Mia C 8H
The element I was assigned to promote was sodium (Na) and I decided to make a streetlamp. Many streetlamps emit a yellow — orange glow, this is because they are sodium vapor lamps! Sodium vapor lamps make perfect streetlamps because they are cheap to manufacture and their light cuts through rain and fog. My model is made of a wooden bead, a chopstick, a few toothpicks, and some airdry clay!
Mae C 8H
My element model features a lead apron. Lead is a toxic metal but can be used for radioactive protection. This surprised me so I explored further and came across lead aprons. I constructed my lead apron by using a paper bag, outlining a vest and straps and finished by painting it blue. It is a simple creation demonstrating one of the many uses for lead.
Seraphima B 8D
My element model represents a 3D scan of the brain, where the red blood cells are labelled with Chromium. Chromium is used in very controlled amounts to track red blood cells lifespan, mass and volume. Through the scan, you can see where larger amounts of blood cells are. I used cardboard and plastic film to create the box, and air-dry clay and paint for the brain.
Grace W 8C
My element was Aluminium, so my model was a sheet of foil which has a common correlation when you think of my element. I chose aluminium foil because it is not just a model but an everyday example of the element itself. It demonstrates the physical properties highlighted on my poster—such as its shine and malleability—making the chemistry tangible.
Kate Y 8F