EXAMPLE ATOM DAY
Each Atom Day is tailored. An example outline is shown below.
1. THE WORLD IS MADE OF SMALL ATOMS.
Introduce children to the idea of atoms and gather their questions. Look at the evidence for atoms and learn how many there are in a one centimetre cube of metal.
2. ATOMS COMBINE TO MAKE OUR WORLD
Children create collages demonstrating an understanding of which atoms make up different things: the Sun, the atmosphere, a tree.
3. THE CONSTITUENTS AND ORIGINS OF ATOMS
Children refer to the periodic table and map out the constituents of the atoms they have chosen to study.
Then discover the origins of atoms in the big bang, stars and supernovae.
4. ATOMS ARE LIKE TINY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Introduction to atomic vibration patterns and parallels with vibrating plates and musical instruments.
5. ATOMIC SPECTRA
Viewing and identifying the signature atomic spectra of different atoms via spectroscopes
6. HOW ATOMS ABSORB AND EMIT LIGHT
Learn how this works by doing an electron dance.
7. ATOMS SHAPE OUR WORLD
Close by reflecting on our place in the Universe and how atoms shape our world. Revisit all of the children’s original questions.
