Not only is the human brain capable of wondering about the nature of the universe, it also is equipped with marvelous pattern making abilities.  Just how powerful classification can be is revealed in the study of the development of the Periodic Table of Elements.

    Dmitri Mendeleev made his first table without knowing the real reasons why it worked.  Almost thirty years before the discovery of the electron, he discerned a pattern that only made sense in terms of valence electrons and chemical bonding ability.  The discovery of new elements, the proton, electronic orbitals, and the neutron only reinforced the power of prediction made possible by Mendeleev's insight into the periodicity of the elements.

    In essence, the Periodic Table is a compact database.  Students will use periodic tables found on the internet to make their own electronic databases.  Having learned the use of an electronic database (Access), students will have a powerful pattern making tool at their disposal and can begin to see how pattern discernment helps us understand not only the natural world but ourselves as well .

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Time required: 15-20 classroom periods of 50 minutes
Age level: 8th - 12th grade
Resources:

• Internet connection for entire classroom (the unit can be done with 4 or 5 networked computers, but certain components will be lost)
• Microsoft Access software (other database programs may be used, but only instructions for Access are included in this unit of practice)
• Microsoft PowerPoint software (other presentation software may be used, but examples of PowerPoint are provided with this unit)
• Projection screen in computer lab for the database game What's My Element?

Learning Standards/Benchmarks Applicable to this Unit:

National Science Education Standards	Physical Science Content Standard B As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of Structure of atoms Structure and properties of matter	History and Nature of Science Content Standard G: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of Science as a human endeavor Historical perspectives
Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS objectives)	Science I Observing and Measuring The student will:         A.  Identify similar or different characteristics in a               given set of objects, organisms, or events.         D.  Use appropriate SI units to measure objects,               organisms or events.	Science II Classifying The student will: B.  Identify the properties on                   which a given classification               is based. D.  Place an object, organism or event into a classification system.
National Educational Technology Standards	1. Technology research tools Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources Students use technology tools to process data and report results
Information Literacy Standards from The American Library Association	Information Literacy Standard 1 The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.	Standard 3 The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
	Social Responsibility Standard 8 The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.