Recreating a Periodic Table: A Tool for Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge

We describe an inquiry-based activity designed to develop the pedagogical content knowledge of prospective chemistry teachers. The investigation asks students to analyze data to derive an imaginary periodic table in a parallel universe. The activity allows future teachers to revise and integrate central concepts and ideas in chemistry and to analyze and reflect on important pedagogical issues in the learning and teaching of chemistry. The proposed activity may also be appropriate for students enrolled in advanced-placement courses at the high school level and in general chemistry courses at the college level.