This is a game designed to reinforce students memory of the element positions in the Periodic Table of the Elements. There are three levels: (1) the elements of atomic number 1 to 20; (2) the main group elements of atomic number higher than 20; (3) the transition metals.
How to Play:
When the game starts, an element floats up from the bottom of the screen one at a time. Tap (left or right to the floating element) and swipe (left, right, or up) to move the element into its correct position in the Periodic Table. The sooner you place the element in its correct position, the higher the score you will get. You lose points if you place an element incorrectly. High score is kept for each level.
To Get Hint:
Tap once on the floating element to see its correct position. Points will be taken off though.
Bonus Point Opportunities:
There are two bonus-point opportunities: the professors extra credit and the wiz kids challenge. They may pop up during the game.
Professors Extra Credit: You get extra points if you do not use hint for the next two elements.
Wiz Kids Challenge: The wiz kid will race you to the next elements correct position. Your points for that element will be doubled if you beat the wiz kid.
Some Suggestions on Making the Most out of this Game:
To make this game more effective in helping you to memorize the element positions, here are some suggestions from my experience. Study the element positions a little bit before the game starts. You do not have to have a copy of the Periodic Table around because the elements are shown on screen when you select the level. There are some elements you are already familiar with--those you may have heard of during daily life; for examples, hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, neon, sodium, aluminum, magnesium, fluorine, iodine, calcium, iron, copper, silver, titanium, zinc, and zirconium. So memorize those first. There may be other elements you do not have any recollection no matter how many times you have looked at the Periodic Table. For those elements, try to relate their positions to the elements that you are familiar with. Also, one technique to help memorizing an elements position is to note its row and column numbers, not just its atomic number. During the game, whenever there is an element you are not sure about its position but have vague memory of some possible positions, feel free to try it out--just pick one of the possible positions from your memory. If you are not sure about the elements position at all, feel free to get hint by tapping on the element once. But when you do get hint or get the position wrong, pay a little more attention to its position and try to memorize it so next time you will not miss it. You can also have a Period Table next to you during the game. Look up the element whenever you do not know its position. As long as the element that makes you look it up can make an impression on you about its position, this will help you memorize it position.
Have fun playing and hope you find this game helpful to you in memorizing the elements positions.