Matching Element Symbols with State Abbreviations. A Fun Activity for Browsing the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements

A classroom activity is presented in which students are challenged to find matches between the United States two-letter postal abbreviations for states and chemical element symbols. The activity aims to lessen negative apprehensions students might have when the periodic table of the elements with its more than 100 combinations of letters is first introduced. Teachers might use the activity to convey knowledge about specific areas of the periodic table, such as metals and nonmetals, main group and transition elements, or stable and radioactive elements. Material for a take-home version of the activity is provided and an adaptation for other countries is suggested.