Mendeleev Periodic Table Simulator
Product Code : EL-PT-11152
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Quick answer: A card exercise in which students first classify and organise ordinary playing cards by given criteria, then apply the same skills to simulator cards to build a crude version of the modern periodic table. One boxed set serves 10 groups of 2 or 3 students.
Starting with playing cards is the clever part of this exercise. Students classify and organise a deck by given criteria first, where they already know the properties and the sorting is easy, which teaches the method of classification without any chemistry in the way. Only then do they apply the same skills to the simulator cards, where the properties are unfamiliar, and build a crude version of the modern periodic table from them.
That order matters. The difficulty students have in deriving the periodic table is rarely the chemistry; it is not knowing what to do with a pile of unordered information. Learning the procedure on playing cards removes that obstacle.
One boxed set contains enough material for 10 groups of 2 or 3 students, so between 20 and 30 students in total, and includes simulator cards, playing cards and instructions.
The number of simulator cards, which element properties they carry, and whether the elements are real or invented are not published. That last point is worth asking: some versions of this exercise use fictional elements to prevent students recognising the answer, which changes the exercise considerably.
Technical specifications
Specification | As published |
Product type | Card-based periodic table classification exercise |
Students supported | 10 groups of 2 or 3 students |
Contents | Simulator cards, playing cards and instructions |
Stage one | Classify and organise regular playing cards based on given criteria |
Stage two | Apply those skills to the simulator cards to create a crude version of the modern periodic table |
Stated purpose | A method of introducing students to the periodic table |
Supplied from | Ambala, Haryana, India |
Only what this listing publishes is recorded above. The number of simulator cards, which element properties they carry, and whether the elements used are real or invented are not stated. Confirm these before ordering, since whether students can recognise the elements changes the nature of the exercise.
Range and ordering
This item belongs to the Periodic Table family within Biotechnology Equipment and Labware, part of the Biotechnology range. Packaged teaching kits are listed under Biotechnology Kits. Bulk, tender and OEM quantities are handled through lab tenders and OEM orders; use the contact page to request a quotation or any specification noted above.