This month’s ChemShorts for Kids is unique in that there is no experiment to do, but rather an opportunity for kids to engage differently with the periodic table.  I recently attended a ChemEd conference and found myself thoroughly engaged by Rajasree Swaminathan, an author of numerous books about the elements of the periodic table.  Ms. Swaminathan is a 20-year veteran, 7th grade teacher in California.  She has developed a number of characters, all based on different elements of the periodic table.  Many of these characters have found their way into chemistry-themed story books.  Her first book, “Hydrogen and the Alkali Metals: Exciting and Explosive! Element Girls Series Book 1” introduces us to Atom, a young girl who is gifted a magical periodic table.  By touching one of the elements on the periodic table, Atom (and her dog Electron) are transported to that element where they have a conversation and learn about the unique aspects of the element.  In this book, Atom visits Hydrogen and her sisters, Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Cesium, and Francium.  In later books, Atom introduces us to her other friends (Ion, Exo, Endo, Valence, and Mole) and together they journey to meet other families of the periodic table. 

These books are available on Amazon or Kindle and some of them are available for free.  You can find the books on her website: Connecting Science and Art.  You can also find videos of some of these stories on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRqH6q2IAY81bxnEckU7tGg) and on Medium:

Lead
https://medium.com/chemistry-element-stories/story-of-the-element-girl-lead-275bb24107ee?source=friends_link&sk=352c8b5408d3aa75cf4a1ca81c013388

Antimony
https://medium.com/chemistry-element-stories/the-story-of-the-element-girl-antimony-5e57adf471af?source=friends_link&sk=424129fed9ce31a57d203201c8c144d2

Aluminum
https://medium.com/chemistry-element-stories/story-of-the-element-girl-aluminum-22ac73771af3?source=friends_link&sk=44bbb95edc5a1fef994f76c4e234f119.

There are currently seven books in this series (no noble gases yet) from the representative elements.  The pictures are stunning and helpful in remembering the qualities that make up the element.  The books are probably most appropriate for young readers 7th – 12th grade, but kids interested in science will find these engaging as well.  The stories are somewhat reminiscent of the Magic Treehouse books from a chemistry, rather than a history, perspective.  Enjoy this as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) experience.

References:
https://sites.google.com/staff.harker.org/rajis/home

To view past “ChemShorts for Kids” activities, go to:
https://chicagoacs.org/ChemShorts.

- PAUL BRANDT