You’re one decision away from this superpower

“Positive Perspective”

It’s a skill I encourage in every student I teach—whether they’re problem-solving, recalling information, or grappling with tough concepts.

There’s a reason it’s my go-to method of teaching:

Positive perspective is a student’s superpower.

In school.

In life.

I could go on about how powerful this mindset shift can be for learning and success, but for now, let’s start the journey here:

What do you see?

An overwhelming grid of letters, numbers, and symbols?

That’s how most students feel when they first look at the periodic table—puzzled, overwhelmed, maybe even bored. And some settle right into this:

Sure, there are those who treat it as a memory game and can recite all the elements by heart. And a few get a kick out of Tom Lehrer’s song.

But for most, it’s an endless expanse of terms, numbers, and facts that feel disconnected from real life.

This makes learning hard, slow and unsuccessful.

I’ve asked students in class, “What does Hydrogen mean to you?”

Even though it was studied in a previous year, this answer still crops up:

“Balloons.”

My face:

My thoughts:

Exploding party balloons if they ever got near the birthday candles, but hey, at least they’re getting creative. Unless they meant Helium 🤔.

Case in point - unsuccessful learning.

Rather than memorising each element’s atomic number, electron layout, and reactivity and usefulness, it’s time to see things from a different perspective.

Decide to see the periodic table for what it really is: a map to the future, a canvas of untold stories, and endless possibilities that relate to you.

Positive Perspective.

Question: “What could this chart teach me that’s actually interesting?”

It’s tough for teachers to cater to every single interest in a classroom. But outside class?

Here’s where parents and mentors can spark real interest with a conversation and a little extra exploration.

Interested in astronomy or geology: Iron forms in massive stars before they explode into supernovae, scattering it across space and creating the core of our planet. It’s essential to life, even in our blood. Investigate how the rocks beneath our feet and the iron in our veins connect us to the stars and reveal our planet's origins.

Into film or books? If Kryptonite (Superman) were an element, where would it fit on the periodic table? What makes Adamantium (Wolverine) so strong? What elements form the basis of Kyber crystals (Star Wars) or Ice-Nine (Cat’s Cradle)?

Big on gaming? Where would Minecraft’s redstone sit on the periodic table? How is it different from copper?

Sports fan? What elements make sports gear lightweight or durable? Can you design your own synthetic material using natural elements and compounds?

Love English? Discover the fascinating etymology within the periodic table. Pick out words that look different or strange. For example, the word gold comes from Old English geolu (yellow), linked to Proto-Indo-European ghel (to shine). Latin aurum means “to shine.”

Engineering enthusiast? Explore metals to create stronger, lighter materials. Investigate semiconductors for better microelectronics and lithium for more sustainable batteries. How can carbon’s allotropes create superconductors for space? And what sustainable alternatives can we innovate to reduce plastic use?

History buff? Discover the evolution of the periodic table from Mendeleev, Newlands, Meyer, and Lavoisier, and how scientific discoveries have impacted society.

Aspiring scientist? This chart is your gateway to discovery. Channel your inner Marie Curie and remember:

"One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done." - Marie Curie

Positive perspective is a superpower.

That shift in mindset could be the key to unlocking new ways of thinking, learning, and innovating, not just in science, but in everything your kids do.

Chat again soon!

Nici

P.S.

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