!"#$%&#!&'(%&)
Welcome to a superlative of science and technology!
e
Fr
This teaching packet is excerpted from the book, Amazing World Records of Science and
Technology; the activity sheet numbers are for reference only.
*%')+,-#.")/0#1&(")02
e
w
ie
ev
Pr
However you integrate this packet into your teaching, always keep in mind that the student
activity sheets provide countless opportunities to foster broader and deeper awareness of
scientific and technological forces. Keep in mind, too, that children learn best when they’re
having fun. Foster surprise, delight, and awe about these superlatives of the human experience.
Emphasize the drama that underlies every world record. Do your best to evoke wonderment of
the grand human story. Good luck in this important work.
!"#$%&#'()*+,-#./)&-0#1*&2&30
Astatine
The World Record
The world’s rarest element is astatine.
e
Fr
Thoughts on Teaching
This is an advanced activity sheet, best assigned to students who have a basic understanding of
elements and the periodic table. Consider having these students create models of the astatine atom.
Major Objectives
e
By answering the questions and completing the projects on this activity sheet, students will
accomplish the following objectives:
tJEFOUJGZJOWFTUJHBUFBOEEJTDVTTUIFXPSMETSBSFTUFMFNFOU
tFYQMPSFUIFSFMBUJPOTIJQPGUIJTSFDPSETFUUJOHPCKFDUUPCSPBEFSUPQJDTBOEUPUIFJSPXO
experiences.
Pr
Time Required
The activity sheet can be completed in about one class period. Allow additional time for extension
and enrichment activities.
Level
advanced
w
Show What You Know
1. in some uranium ores
2. in laboratories
ie
Answers
ev
The Activity Sheet
Think About It
3. Answers will vary depending on student background; element identification is a fundamental
aspect of science and crucial to understanding the basic workings of the universe.
4. Students might conclude that the discovery of astatine was at least tangentially related to work
on the atomic bomb.
‹6XQÁRZHU(GXFDWLRQ
Challenge Yourself
You may need to guide students in their explications. Give them time to conduct necessary
research.
Hands-on Enrichment Activity
Students can use straws, foam balls, and other appropriate materials to create models; or they can
create a single, large classroom-sized model of the astatine atom.
Visit WorldRecordsBooks.com for more images and activities!
6XQIORZHU(GXFDWLRQQHW
$PD]LQJ:RUOG5HFRUGV‡6FLHQFHDQG7HFKQRORJ\