Using 3D blocks in a periodic trends lab can greatly enhance high school students' understanding by making abstract concepts tangible. This hands-on approach helps students visualize atomic structure, including atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity trends across periods and groups. By physically manipulating the blocks to represent elements and their properties, students can observe and model the periodic table’s organization and relationships, aiding memory retention.
Furthermore, using 3D blocks allows students to actively engage in pattern recognition, critical for mastering the recognition of periodic relationships. This interactive, visual method supports diverse learning styles, making complex patterns more accessible, as students are building foundational chemistry skills.
