8th Grade Science
Periodic Table of Elements
Element Project
The purpose of this project is for the students to expand their knowledge of a particular
element while reinforcing the concepts we learned about the periodic table in class.
Each student will choose an element from the Periodic Table of Elements (elements must
be approved by teacher so there are no repeats) and showcase that element however they wish
(newspaper article, haiku poem, missing element ad, interview, etc.). Despite the method the
student chooses to showcase their element, the following information must be included about
the element: chemical symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, period and group number, special
properties of group (including category), discovery of the element, and examples for use of the
element. The project may be typed or neatly hand-written. Students must also include a list of
sources aside from the textbook used to gather information. The sources can, but don’t have to,
be submitted using Symbaloo.
The final project is due on Friday, October 9th. Five points will be deducted from the final
grade each day the project is late! The project will be counted as a test grade and will be broken
into the following categories:
Accuracy:
Key Information (Number, Mass, Symbol)
Period and Group
Special Properties of Group (category)
Discovery (who and year)
Example of use
Innovation:
Presentation (Title, Name, & Neatness):
Spelling
List of sources
60 points
15 points
10 points
20 points
10 points
5 points
20 points
10 points
5 points
5 points
Total Points:
100 points
Suggested websites:
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/index.html
http://education.jlab.org/qa/discover_ele.html
8th Grade Science
Periodic Table of Elements
Name: ________________________________
Class: ___________ Date: _____________
Element Project Rubric
Area
Element Key
Information
(15 points)
Location on Table
(10 points)
Group Properties
(20 points)
Discovery
(10 points)
Element Use
(5 point)
Innovation
(20 points)
Presentation
(10 points)
Spelling
(5 points)
List of sources
(5 points)
Strong
Atomic number,
chemical symbol,
and atomic mass are
accurate. Student
shows knowledge of
each in own words.
(15)
Correctly locates
element using period
and group number.
Student shows
knowledge of each
term.
(10)
Student identifies
category and group
(family) name and
includes multiple
features
characteristic to
group.
(20)
Student accurately
identifies discovery
of element and
compares to another
element discovery.
(10)
Identifies three uses
for element that are
unrelated.
(5)
Element is presented
in a well-thought
and creative manner
that shows
originality.
(20)
Project is neat with
no smearing or
markings, etc.
(10)
No spelling errors
(5)
Uses more than
three sources.
(5)
Your Final Grade: ________
Proficient
Atomic number,
chemical symbol,
and atomic mass are
accurate.
Below Average
One area (atomic
number, chemical
symbol, atomic
mass) not accurate.
Poor
More than one area
(atomic number,
chemical symbol,
atomic mass) not
accurate.
(13)
Correctly locates
element using period
and group number.
(12)
Either element
period or group
number not accurate
or not mentioned.
(10)
Neither element
period nor group
number is accurate
or mentioned.
(9)
Student identifies
category and group
(family) name and
includes some
features
characteristic to
group.
(18)
Student accurately
identifies year and
person who
discovered element.
(7)
Student identifies
category and group
(family) name but
some features
characteristic to
group are incorrect.
(6)
Student does not
correctly identify
category and group
(family) name.
OR Many features of
family are incorrect.
(15)
Student accurately
identifies only one
feature of discovery.
(10)
Student does not
accurately identify
either feature of
discovery.
(7)
Only identifies one
use for element.
(5)
Does not identify use
for element.
(3)
Element is presented
in a creative
manner
(0)
More thought could
be put into the
presentation of
element.
(16)
Project has some
smearing or
markings, etc.
(8)
Some (3 or 4)
spelling errors
(3)
Uses less than three
sources.
(3)
(14)
Project has multiple
markings, etc.
(9)
Identifies two uses
for element that are
unrelated.
(4)
Element is presented
in a well-thought
and creative manner
(18)
Project is neat with
few smearing or
markings, etc.
(9)
Few (1 or 2) spelling
errors
(4)
Uses three sources.
(4)
(6)
Multiple spelling
errors
(1)
Does not turn in list
of sources.
(0)