Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table Real-World Case Study | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students to weigh a real decision about Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: An electronics company is designing a new microchip for computer servers and electric vehicle chargers. Engineers must choose a material. Silicon, a metalloid made from common sand, has been used in chips for over sixty years and is cheap to produce. But silicon chips waste energy as heat and leak current at high temperatures.… Key question: "How could engineers use a decision table to choose between silicon and GaN for different products?"

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 720 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.