Abstract:
Puzzles can be used as an educational exercise for a number of reasons; they emphasize strategy and familiarize students with a new topic or new words. Crossword puzzles typically require prior knowledge on a topic while a Sudoku type puzzle is focused on developing strategy. A type of puzzle, based on abbreviations of the elements, is developed and presented as an educational exercise. It is not a single puzzle format but one that can be easily varied for students of different ages and students with different objectives. The goal is familiarization with the periodic table, its symbols, the groups as well as physical and chemical properties, using a strategic approach.