Ask the readers: The periodic table tattoo
October 12, 2009
BY BILL FERRIS
Happy Monday, dear readers. To ease you back into the work week, I thought we’d begin with a fun ice breaker. (Well, I think it’s fun. Your actual fun may vary.)
Consider the tattoo in the picture. Someone, quite possibly a mad scientist, has gotten the entire periodic table tattooed on his arm. For the sake of argument, let’s assume it’s a real tattoo.
Now say you’re a science teacher about to give a test on the elements. Do you make this student cover up the tattoo? Why or why not?
Photo credit: o2b on Flickr.
Of course not.
First of all, anyone that passionate about the table deserves kudos.
Second (and more important), the periodic table is a tool, not an end in itself–what kind of questions would you be asking that requires memorizing the table? Does it make sense to ask those kinds of questions?
Sheesh, every science class that touches on anything to do with the elements should have the table displayed so all can see it any time!
I agree with Michael. No way does the tattoo need to be covered up.
Yea, there’s no need to cover it up. When I was in chemistry class, we were allowed to have the table with us during every test. There’s so much information needed to solve some types of questions like molecular mass, that there’s no way a science teacher can ask their students to memorize it all.
