PROGRAMS REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION. REGISTRATION FOR THIS PROGRAM CLOSES MARCH 30, 2011. What is an element? Have you ever wondered why elements in the same group number on the periodic table have similar chemical reactivity? Who thought up the idea of a periodic table? How did it get its name? How does it affect our everyday lives? Come answer these questions and more as we learn about the basics and the makeup of the periodic table by visiting a life-sized version in Tellus’ Weinman Mineral Gallery and then experience some hands-on manipulatives in the lab as an introduction to the Periodic Table and basic atomic structure. Program will run for two hours.  30 minutes – gallery time Anatomy of the Planet – discuss elemental components of the various layers The Magic Planet – discuss elemental differences in continental vs. oceanic plates Rock Cycle Wall The life size Periodic Table – discuss its organization and what information the table gives us Participate in gallery wide scavenger hunt  30 minutes – lab Discuss Earth’s crust contains 92 natural elements found on the table Students will understand through various manipulatives: periods, groups or families, metals, non metals, transition metals, halogens, noble gases, valence electrons, basic atomic structure, etc.  30 minutes – Gem Panning and Careers in Geology information  30 minutes – - Store, Foucault pendulum & Apatosaurus Take home items – Keep the gemstones that you find at the Gem Panning