Elements Scavenger Hunt
Introduction: In this lesson, students will become more familiar with the periodic table of
elements. They will go on a scavenger hunt to find a variety of objects that represent the
elements described in each clue.
Grade Level and Subject: 8th Grade Science and Health
TEKS: Science 9B
Health 7B, 7E
Materials: “Elements Scavenger Hunt” worksheet
Suggestions for scavenger hunt items (after worksheet)
Resources: Science textbook, periodic table of elements
Websites: http://education.jlab.org/indexpages/teachers.html
This site has great activities and online games to help students become more familiar with the
periodic table of elements.
Activity: This activity can be done throughout the whole school or within the classroom. If the
scavenger hunt takes place throughout the school, make sure the students know where they can
and cannot go. Be sure to clear the activity with other teachers and staff so they are aware of
what the students will be doing. If the activity is done in the classroom, have some of the harderto-find items on hand that the students will need to complete the activity. Spread the items
throughout the classroom so the students have to really search for what they need.
Tell the students that there are objects for each one of the elements inside the classroom. Divide
the students into groups of four or five. Distribute the Elements Scavenger Hunt worksheets, one
per student. Students need to solve the riddles to determine what items they will need to find. Set
a time limit of about 30 minutes. The group that completes all the tasks first or the one that finds
the most items wins. Offer some kind of reward to the group that finishes first. Some examples
of rewards are free homework passes, “points added to a lowest grade” coupon, in-class freetime, etc.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on how many items they find, completion of the
Elements Scavenger Hunt worksheet, and how well they work together as a team.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Elements Scavenger Hunt
Directions: Solve the following riddles. Write the answers on the lines provided.
Then find an object that represents each of the following elements.
1. You use me to write on your papers, especially in math. What am I? ________
2. I am the metal the 1st place Olympic medals are made of. What am I?
_______________________________________________________________
3. I am often found in jewelry, but I am not as expensive as other metals. What am
I? _____________________________________________________________
4. Kids love me! I am often used to expand small objects and make them float.
What am I? _____________________________________________________
5. When I am combined with two oxygen atoms, plants use me to engage in
photosynthesis. What am I? _________________________________________
6. There are two of me in one water molecule. What am I? __________________
7. I am often used to make containers that can hold cookies and sweets (especially
at Christmas!). What am I? _________________________________________
8. Your favorite soft drinks are contained within my metallic walls. What am I?
_______________________________________________________________
9. People use me to build up their strength when they workout. What am I?
_______________________________________________________________
10. I am worth five, but I’m bigger than ten. What am I? ____________________
11. You need me because I make your bones stronger. What am I? ____________
12. I am combined with chlorine to make food taste better. What am I? ________
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Answers to Elements Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
(1) lead, (2) gold, (3) silver, (4) helium, (5) carbon, (6) hydrogen, (7) tin, (8) aluminum, (9) iron,
(10) nickel, (11) calcium, (12) sodium
Suggested List of Items for Each Element
1. lead – pencil, lead-based paint, fishing weights, some shot-gun BBs
2. gold – any gold jewelry: necklace, cross, ring, earrings
3. silver – any kind of jewelry that is made of solid silver or is silver-plated
4. helium – balloons
5. carbon – plant sample such as grass, leaf from a tree or other plant
6. hydrogen – bottle of hydrogen peroxide, cup of water
7. tin – cookie/candy tins
8. aluminum – soda cans, foil
9. iron – a dumbbell, weights, cast iron skillet
10. nickel – a nickel
11. calcium – cup of milk, slice of cheese, yogurt
12. sodium – packet of salt, a salt shaker