Chemical Nostradamus

Take on the role of true explorers to unravel a mysterious message. For this you will have to use your knowledge of chemical elements. Each letter of the message is connected to a chemical element, and your task is to find out which elements they are and what the hidden message is.

Source: https://pixabay.com/bg/vectors/%D1%85%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%
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How will you work?

 Take your time – work step by step.

• Use the periodic table to find the right elements.
• Discuss with your classmate or group what you have discovered.
• Choose one of the coded messages:

Option 1.  Mysterious code  STiAlYCURnIOUS

Option 2.  Mysterious code  WAlTiEsRnISLiFe

Each part of this code represents a symbol of a chemical element. You must use the periodic table to find which element corresponds to each part. For example:

S = Sulfur

Ti = Titanium

Al = Aluminium

Task completion:

• Step 1: Find the chemical elements using the periodic table and the symbols that are in the secret code. Write them down on the cards that are given to you below.
• Step 2: Once you have identified the elements, use the letters of their names (or chemical symbols) to decipher the hidden message.
• Step 3: Write down the message you found and share it with the class.
• Step 4: Discuss and participate in a discussion about why it’s important to stay curious and how chemistry helps us crack “codes” in the world around us!

Hidden message of secret code 1: ……………………………………………………………………………..

Hidden message of secret code 2: ……………………………………………………………………………..

To download: Worksheet 1. Chemical code