ELEMENT SUPERHERO PROJECT
You have been hired by Elements of the Universe, a comic book publisher, to create a new
superhero whose appearance, characteristics and powers are based on an assigned element in the
periodic table.
Directions:
Students will conduct research to find information regarding their assigned element. Students will
complete a My Element Worksheet and then create an Element Superhero that illustrates this
information through a written story about the superhero and a drawing of the superhero. The
worksheet will be turned in with the Superhero.
Use the following websites to find out qualities (both physical and chemical) about the element
assigned:
http://www.chemicalelements.com/ (This site should be used to figure out how many electrons
are in each shell)
http://periodic.lanl.gov/default.htm
http://www.ptable.com/
http://www.popsci.com/files/periodic_popup.html
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic-chart.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/12909/main2.html
http://www.webelements.com/
http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/ ** has pictures if you need inspiration**
YOUR ELEMENT SUPERHERO PROJECT MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:

TITLE: Creative name of superhero. Name of your element and your
elements' symbol and your Name.

Historical perspectives. This section should include a brief description of how
your superhero acquired their element power. You must state somewhere in your
story WHERE,WHEN and WHO discovered your element/superhero. Find a
picture of your discoverer, if WHERE, WHEN and WHO is unknown then state the
approximate time when your hero was discovered/created. This is the person
responsible for creating your hero/element.

DESCRIPTION OF ELEMENT SUPERHERO:
This section should include a brief description of what your superhero looks like and how
he/she uses, or lives with their element power.
 Physical description: What does your element/hero look like? What does it feel
like? Color? Solid, liquid or gas

You may want to describe where does your superhero element live (where in nature
can it be found). What are his/her superpowers? Does your superhero element
have a hideout? What are his/her strengths? What is his/her weakness? Who is
his/her arch nemesis (evil super villain)? What additional element(s) could
combine with your superhero to make him/her more powerful?
Use the following questions to help guide you?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
What is your element’s Boiling point, Freezing/Melting Point?
What is his/her atomic mass
Atomic number?
What family is he/she in? Alkali metals? Alkali Earth? Transition Metals? Lanthanides and
Actinides? Non-metal? Metalloid? Noble Gas?
What is the density of your superhero?
Is he/she malleable, ductile or brittle?
Is he/she a conductor of heat and electricity?
What's your superheroes’’ state of matter at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius)?
What does he/she commonly combine with and/or what does he/she react with?
Is it highly reactive or non-reactive?
o Story must include 8 characteristics/properties of the element (at least 2 must
be chemical properties)
o Underline each property in your story
o Written story must be at least 1 page in length
Examples of Properties:
1. If your element has a high melting point, you might say that your super hero can move through
fire to save others.
2. If your element is a gas, you might say that your superhero can sneak through a crack into a
room.
3. If your element explosively reacts with water, you might say that your super hero uses water to
create explosions to stop his/her enemies.
Be Creative with your character and use your imagination!!!
Use the websites on this handout and/or book sources to find out qualities (both physical
and chemical) about the element.

DRAWING OF YOUR ELEMENT SUPERHERO
This section should include a drawing (in color) of your Element Superhero on a clean
sheet of WHITE paper.
-Drawing must incorporate at least 5 of the characteristics/properties of the
element. You will need to note the properties on the back of the drawing.
-Drawing must correspond to the qualities of your superhero. For example, if
sulfur is your chosen element, the superhero’s uniform or hair or skin, ect. must
be yellow since sulfur has a characteristic yellow color.
You may also use Hero Machine 2.5. or Hero Machine 3 These websites will allow you to
customize your character with unique characteristics and powers derived from your
element.
Links= http://www.ugo.com/games/superhero-generator-heromachine-2-5
Links= http://www.heromachine.com/heromachine-3-lab/
PROPER FORMAT
-TYPED!!!! 12 font. Times New Roman.
What do I turn in?
1. Element Worksheet
2. Element Superhero Drawing
3. Element Superhero Story
Elemental Superhero Data Sheet
Symbol _____________
Assigned Element: _________________
Atomic Number _____________
Avg. Atomic Mass ____________
History of the Element
When was it discovered? __________________________________________________________________________________
Who discovered it and where? ___________________________________________________________________________
What is your element’s history?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did it get its name? _____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Properties of your Element: What is its physical appearance and chemical appearance?
Metal/nonmetal/metalloid
_____________________________________________
State of matter at room temp.
_____________________________________________
Color
_____________________________________________
Chemical Structure (# protons, neutron, elec)
_____________________________________________
Hardness
_____________________________________________
Ability to conduct electricity
_____________________________________________
Density
____________________________________________
Luster
_____________________________________________
Malleability
_____________________________________________
Ductility
_____________________________________________
Boiling Point
_____________________________________________
Melting Point
_____________________________________________
Is the element useful or harmful to the human body? Explain. ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Connections/ Locations of your element: Who are the other members of your element’s
periodic table family?
Group Number _______________
Period Number _____________________
To which family does your element belong? ___________________________________________________________
Describe the chemical characteristics of the members of this group ________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How reactive are the elements in the group? __________________________________________________________
How many electrons are in the valence shell of your family? ________________________________________
List at least four ways this element is used or objects it is found in. (For example, Calcium is found
in milk) ________________________________
____________________________
_____________________________
________________________________
____________________________
_______________________________
Your assignment: Using the data you collected in the form above, create a superhero based on
your element.
What to include on your poster:
1. Superhero Name: __________________________________
(Make sure it is catchy and original and relates to your element name or special power)
2. What are their super powers? ________________________________________________________________
(This super power should be based on the physical and chemical properties of the element. For
example: If your element has a high melting point, you might say your superhero can move through
fire to save others. If it’s a gas, it can slip through small cracks. )
3. Superhero catch phrase _______________________________________________________________________
(What memorable saying will your superhero announce as he/she appears to save others? It should
relate to its characteristics or uses of your element.)
4. Superhero Appearance ________________________________________________________________________
(How does your superhero look? What colors are seen in its costume and what symbol is on that
costume? Use the physical properties to help your design its appearance. The symbol should be an
image associated with your superhero- for example a tungsten superhero might have a light bulb or
a W for their symbol.)
5. Secret Hideout Location ______________________________________________________________________
(Where is the element located on the periodic table? Where is it found in nature or what
compounds is it commonly found in? For example, Hydrogen is often found with oxygen in the form
of water
6. Sworn Enemies _________________________________________ ______________________________________
(What other elements or conditions weaken or hurt your element. For example- oxygen turns iron
to rust. Hammers break sulfur into small pieces because it is not malleable.)