Have you ever taken a moment to sit outside and look around? Did you notice the birds in the trees? How about the SUV parked by the road? Ever wonder how the sun gives off energy to warm your skin? In our world today, we are made up of and affected by elements. Every field of science and, yourself for that matter, is affected by the elements that make everything up.

Many a science teacher will harp on about the merits of learning the periodic table of elements. I have many friends that bemoan the fact that learning such things is boring. I tell you now, this subject is not boring and there are many who are enthusiastic about this that they take learning the periodic table of elements to fun and interactive new heights.

Photo courtesy of PBS (ENERGY.gov)

I recently encountered such a video. PBS has aired a new show called Hunting the Elements. The host is a correspondent from The New York Times, David Pogue, and he does a brilliant job of taking you on a fun and informative journey in discovering the elements that make up the periodic table. The show goes on to explain where the elements come with special looks at the most abundant elements to the rarest. I was amused by the extreme chemistry, while I marveled at the strongest acids and fascinated by the deadly poisons they focused on. I sat there and wondered where these guys were while I was in high school?

To all my fellow science lovers, I encourage you to explore the universe’s building blocks!