COMMON LANGUAGE FOR SCIENCE GLOBAL REPORT 2019 The law formulated by Dmitry Mendeleev established the periodic dependence of the properties of chemical elements on the charge of their atomic nucleus. This discovery made a great contribution to science, defining the principles of the relationships between the properties of various elements. The periodic law gave scientists the key to unraveling the principles of the structure of matter, leading to the rapid development of chemistry and other sciences. In February 1869, Mendeleev formulated the idea that the properties of various chemical elements are repeated at certain periods. A month later, a presentation was made at the Russian Chemical Society, entitled “Dependence of the properties of the atomic masses of elements,” containing the following main points: • Elements, if arranged according to their atomic weight, have DMITRI obvious periodicity of properties. • Elements that are similar in IVANOVICH their chemical properties either have the same atomic masses MENDELEEV (for example Ir, Pt, Os), or their atomic masses regularly increase 1834–1907 (for example K, Rb, Cs). Apparently the future does not threaten the Periodic Law by its destruction and on the contrary it promises the superstructure and its further development Dmitri Mendeleev, 1905 The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements 2019 Common language for Science GLOBAL REPORT 2019 The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements 2019 (IYPT2019) has been celebrated during the year in over 130 countries, with well over a thousand events and festivities, reaching millions of young and old people, scientists and non-scientists. The event as a whole has been very successful, as illustrated in the report. With the Periodic Table being crucial for chemists, physicists, astronomers and many more, the celebrations have brought together a large variety of participants, starting with a grand opening at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France and ending with a fabulous closing ceremony in Tokyo, Prince Hotel, Japan. Worldwide many scientists and educators have been working on these events, with a high degree of dedication and commitment to show scientists, the public and children the history and relevance of the Periodic Table. The Periodic Table is and will be used in high- tech research to generate new ideas and solutions for the many challenges of modern society. Final Report of the International Year of the Periodic Table 2019, IYPT2019 This overall report on the planning and celebrations of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019) has been assembled from information, photographs and data provided by a large number of teachers and scientists from all over the world, and by the IYPT2019 partners. This final report was compiled and edited by the Editorial Team: Frank Sekeris, office manager Natalia Tarasova, co-chair of the IYPT Interunion International Management Committee Jan Reedijk, co-chair of the IYPT Interunion International Management Committee Page editing: All-Russian Science Festival The Editorial Team has collected the material with the assistance of several IYPT Interunion International Management Committee (MC) members and professional partners. We have done our best to strive to a high degree of accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, but 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Finally, any ideas or opinions expressed are those of the report contributors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Editorial Team or their employers, the International Year of the Periodic Table Management Committee, UNESCO, or any of the other IYPT2019 partners or organizations involved. Website: www.iypt2019.org CONTENTS Foreword 7 Executive Summary 8 PART 1: Overall Origin 14 The History of the discovery 17 UNESCO 18 Goals, Vision and Objectives 20 Finances and legacy 22 Periodic Table and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 24 Anniversaries celebrated during 2019 27 PART 2: Details, social media and events Communications 34 Overview of IYPT2019 Activities 36 Selected Major Activities 38 PART 3: Publications worldwide, featuring the Periodic Table 2019 celebrations Founding Partner Activities 52 Public Engagement partner activities 76 Sponsor activities 90 Other worldwide activities 106 Organizational Structure 144 ANNEXES UN and UNESCO Resolutions and Statements 148 Oldest and newest Periodic Tables 156 IYPT2019 Sponsors, Contributors and Media Partners 159 Preface by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, for the final report on the International Year of the Periodic Table September 2020 Today, the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements contains To rise to these challenges, however, inclusivity is essential. 118 substances, each of which tells a story. Carbon, for This is why the International Year placed special emphasis instance, was discovered in ancient times, when charcoal, on achievements by women scientists. Marie Skłodowska a carbon residue, was produced after burning wood. Curie, for example, was awarded Nobel Prizes in 1903 Scientists have since discovered that carbon is essential and 1911 for the discovery of radium (Ra) and polonium for all life on Earth – human bodies, for example, are (Po). One of her students, Marguerite Perey, discovered primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. francium (Fr) while working in Curie’s lab. Berta Karlik Yet carbon also has a darker side: when it takes the form was credited with discovering astatine (At), Lise Meitner of carbon dioxide, it threatens our very existence, by identified an isotope of protactinium (Pa) and Ida Noddack collecting in the atmosphere and accelerating climate discovered rhenium (Re). At a time when women account change. The story of carbon is not unusual in the Periodic for less than 30% of all researchers, these breakthroughs Table: each element is a new chapter in a scientific journey show what we can achieve when we all work towards the through time and space. same goal. Indeed, the Periodic Table is a reflection of our universal This not only means encouraging women to take up quest for knowledge, a quest that began thousands of scientific careers, it also means facilitating access to years ago and continues to the present day. It spans all scientific information – within and across borders. continents, from the first documented lead-smelting For this reason, the International Year paid tribute to techniques in Africa some 9,000 years ago, to the isolation the international scientific cooperation that led to the of arsenic and antimony by Arab polymath Jabir ibn discovery and naming of four super-heavy elements in Hayyan in the 8th century. It is one of the most significant the Periodic Table: the atomic numbers 113 (nihonium), 115 achievements in science, enabling scientists to predict the (moscovium), 117 (tennessine), and 118 (oganesson). appearance and properties of matter on Earth and in the Universe. The continual quest for elements has resulted To support further discoveries in this field, the UNESCO- in powerful quantum predictive methods, which not only Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic lead to new materials, but also uncover novel chemical Sciences was established by UNESCO in October 2019, phenomena, revealing the limitations of existing chemistry as part of the Year’s legacy. This Prize rewards excellence rules and extending the boundaries of the known world. in this discipline and recognizes that progress in science, Modern nuclear medicine is one of the results of this quest. technology and innovation is indispensable to sustainable development. At a time when we need science to rise to major global challenges, we must build on the achievements of These achievements, and many more, are described in this humankind. The Periodic table is one of these achievements – report on the International Year of the Periodic Table of and one of the most important. This is why UNESCO Chemical Elements. Every page reveals the importance of endorsed 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic this unique tool in humanity’s tireless quest for knowledge – Table, to raise awareness of the basic sciences and their and is an invitation to discover more. interdisciplinarity. In addition to promoting education in this field, especially in developing countries, this Year highlighted the importance of chemistry in developing solutions to international issues, including climate change and the preservation of natural resources. Foreword The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical historical development of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements 2019 (IYPT 2019) was proclaimed by the United Elements; conferences on the role of chemistry and Nations General Assembly during its 74th Plenary Meeting, the Periodic Table in sustainable development; public at the 72nd Session on December 20th, 2017, following the chemical festivals and displays; works of art, music, resolution of UNESCO General Conference, adopted at and literature. Events were targeted at all levels—from its 39th Session, on November 2nd, 2017. In proclaiming preschool children learning science for the first time, an International Year focusing on the Periodic Table to politicians, and diplomats, convening high-level of Chemical Elements and its applications, the United meetings discussing the importance of the Periodic Table Nations has recognized the importance of raising global and science and technology for the future. awareness of how chemistry promotes