Review by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Education | Updated November 2014
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The Elements in Action

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  • Download from App Store

Video clips, fun facts, solid science lure kids to the periodic table

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Science
Skills
  • Character & SEL
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
9–12
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (1 Review)
Price:  $3.99
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Take a look inside

4 images
Home page features an enticing, interactive periodic table.
Kids learn fascinating facts about each element.
Video clips are brief and can be paused at any time.
Kids can easily share information on social-media sites.

Pros: Exciting, well-produced video clips reveal fascinating properties of elements.

Cons: Provides only a limited amount of basic information about the elements.

Bottom Line: Not a comprehensive instructional tool, but an engaging and informative way to interest kids in science.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

This could be a great resource for kids' research. Arrange kids into small groups and assign them three or four elements to explore. Have them use the app for initial research, and provide additional resources so they can learn more about the assigned elements. Have each group present its research to the class.

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Standards:

The home screen is an attention-grabber that may actually seem a bit overwhelming to some users, but it's simply a periodic table with tappable video clips for each element. Students tap an element and a video pops up, along with the element's name, symbol, atomic number, and a brief description of the video. Kids can tap a speaker icon to hear the name of the element pronounced. It's important to note that several direct links to social media and the app store are included, so be sure to monitor kids' use of these features as needed.

Not a conventional teaching tool, but an innovative way to get kids interested in science. Kids learn the names and locations of elements on the periodic table, their chemical symbols and atomic numbers, and fun, interesting facts about each element. Before using this reference tool, kids should have some prior experience with the periodic table and should understand the terms element and atomic number.

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Watching videos that demonstrate unique properties of elements is fascinating. 

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Primary appeal of this app is that it gets kids interested in science. Videos are both educational and fun, but additional facts about the elements could boost learning. 

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Navigation is easy -- just tap an element and watch the video clip. Text below each video is small and may be hard for some kids to read. 

Common Sense Reviewer
Debbie Gorrell Educator
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Reading Science/Technical

  • RST.9-10.10

    By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RST.11-12.10

    By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11–12 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

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Key Standards Supported

Matter and Its Interactions

  • HS-PS1-1

    Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

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Teacher Reviews

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Featured review by
Dana O. , Other
Other
North Allegheny School District
Pittsburgh, United States
An app that brings the periodic table to life.
I like that the app offers video of the element in real life, text, and audio. It's a great reference tool for students, but it doesn't have full features like The Elements app. Overall, I'd recommend this app if you're looking for something to help support lessons about elements and/or the Periodic Table. This isn't an app I would recommend if you want in-depth information and interaction - you'd want to buy The Elements instead.
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