Our initial survey revealed that many secondary students struggle with Chemistry, particularly the Periodic Table. About 71.8% of students reported difficulties in science, while 75.2% found it challenging to understand the Periodic Table. According to Dr. Teoh Tek Jiun, an Orthopaedic Specialist from Hospital Labuan, the Periodic Table is difficult to memorise as each element includes its name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic weight. To address this issue, we developed Periodic Pair Up or PPU, an innovative approach designed to enhance students’ understanding of the Periodic Table through mental imagery. Since the brain processes images better than words, we incorporated relatable pictures of everyday items containing the elements, making learning more visual and meaningful. In a pre-test, most students scored below 40%, but after using PPU in an intervention, post-test results showed a significant improvement in their understanding and engagement. Students also reported enjoying the learning experience. We hope to further develop PPU to support learning in other subjects in the future.
