Through a series of activities and experiments, students are introduced to the historical development of the periodic table, the characteristics of the various periods within the table, and the key differences between metals and nonmetals.  Students evaluate the luster, heat, conductivity and electrical conductivity of a variety of metals. The term sheet included in kit focuses on the terminology associated with the periodic table. The laboratory unit provided in this kit includes a term sheet, and activity sheet, three laboratory exercises, a crossword puzzle, a test, an answer key,  and information sheet.