Schools

Sinking Battleships In Chemistry Class At West Islip High School

Kathleen Scrivani's class learned about the periodic table using a socially-distanced game.

Chemistry students recently played Electron Configuration Battleship on a periodic table board, using principal energy levels, orbital notation and noble gases to guess what element an opponent’s ship is on.
Chemistry students recently played Electron Configuration Battleship on a periodic table board, using principal energy levels, orbital notation and noble gases to guess what element an opponent’s ship is on. (West Islip School District)

Press release from West Islip School District:

Nov. 19, 2020

Chemistry students in Kathleen Scrivani’s class at West Islip High School recently sunk each other’s battleships, from six feet away. This socially distanced game of Electron Configuration Battleship, played on a periodic table board, uses principal energy levels, orbital notation and noble gases to guess what element an opponent’s ship is on.

Find out what's happening in West Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“I have done this for a few years now and it is a great way for the students to become more comfortable with and review different methods of writing electron configurations,” Scrivani said. “It’s engaging, the students are invested in the game and in order to play, they are forced to practice their skills and ask questions about content they may still be struggling with. Students must peer evaluate as well. If their partner misstates an electron configuration, they must make the correction before the game moves forward. And for students who seem to have mastered the content already, practice makes better.”


This press release was produced by West Islip School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Find out what's happening in West Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.