This interactive text about isotopes covers what isotopes are, the difference between stable and radioactive isotopes, atomic weight, the periodic table, and how isotopes can be used to make scientific discoveries.
A number of interactive learning tools and questions are provided for students, vocabulary terms are defined, and there is an assessment included.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The resource takes students through a planned curriculum that introduces the topic, provides self-assessment questions with answers, and provides guided interactive tools.
Additional Prerequisites
I would suggest going through the resource first to decide if you want students to complete all sections and explore all interactive tools or just some of the sections and tools.
Differentiation
Higher-level learners could do more independent calculations and exploration using the tools provided to explore other greenhouse gases.
This activity could be completed individually or in groups and it would work well as a virtual learning tool.
The interactive tools can be used to explore many questions and topics in science and math classes.
Younger students may benefit from using a graphic organizer or vocabulary list as they go through each section.
Scientist Notes
Resource has been peer-reviewed. It is valid and recommended for teaching the chemistry of isotopes or isotope science to estimate and interpolate historical climate data.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
PS1: Matter and its Interactions
HS-PS1-1 Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
HS-PS1-8 Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
