Pingry School
Lewis Structures, VSEPR and Molecular Modeling
A model is worth a thousand words. Young scholars use what they know about the structure of hydrocarbons to build Lewis dot structures and molecular models. Their tasks include multiple bonds, geometric hybrids, and various isomers.
Curated OER
Making Molecular Models
In these creative hands-on activities, students construct several different molecular models that represent substances that play an essential role in our nutritional needs. Using gum drops and toothpicks, students design the models....
Science Geek
VSEPR and Molecular Geometry
Many chemistry jokes have no reaction. Presentation begins by explaining what models are and the limitations of various forms before introducing the VSEPR model. Then it outlines the rules for creating a VSEPR model and shows examples of...
Curated OER
Molecular Modeling Activity
Students explore the concept of molecular modeling and differentiate between saturated and unsaturated compounds. In small groups, they identify molecular formulas, complete a chart comparing alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, and construct...
Cornell University
The Making of Macromolecules
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Evaporation
Why do experiments require a control? Guide scholars through designing an experiment to see what they can do to evaporate water faster with a instructional activity that stresses the importance of controlling all variables. The second...
Curated OER
Chapter 6 - Bonds
Although there are only 16 questions here, this chemistry handout makes a terrific unit assessment. It queries youngsters on the properties of ionic and covalent compounds, relates bond length tho stability and enrgy, compares polar and...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Small-Molecule Diversity
One way to study the microscopic is to make it macroscopic. Each slide of the lesson presentation presents a different molecular model along with a brief description of the compound's function. Learners use the information to build...
Teach Engineering
Edible Algae Models
Sometimes it's okay to eat your science experiment. A hands-on activity has pupils create models for algae to learn about its cellular structure. The best part of the experiment? The resulting juice-filled gels are edible—yum!
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Chemical Models
Science teams make models of four different hydrocarbon compounds that we commonly use for fuel. Then they demonstrate chemical reactions that result when energy is produced. This can be used as an enrichment when your class is studying...
Curated OER
Molecular Models
In this molecular formula worksheet students fill in a table describing elements and chemical formulas. They identify, elements by type and how they bond. The student analyze molecular formulas to identify the number of atoms and if the...
Curated OER
Gumdrop Crystal Models
A great way to learn about molecular structures is to make a model. Gumdrops and toothpicks are used to construct crystal models. The models are based on theories of crystal shapes that occur because of positive and or negatively charged...
Concord Consortium
Making Molecules
It's molecule magic! Skillful scholars explore the effects of different atoms on molecular polarization using an intuitive interactive. The resource displays the charge at different locations on the molecule, then adapts as the user...
Perkins School for the Blind
Building an Organic Molecule
Glucose is a simple sugar and a molecule that can be illustrated through modeling. Scientific investigators with visual impairments use hands-on models to reconstruct the process of bonding molecules. The tools used in this activity are...
American Chemical Society
The Same Parts Can Make Many Objects
Snap to it! Young experimenters use Snap Cubes to model how a larger object is created from a smaller parts. Using a guide, they rearrange their cubes to create all possible arrangements of four and five cubes.
American Chemical Society
Controlling the Amount of Products in a Chemical Reaction
Everyone enjoys combining baking soda and water. Here is a lesson plan that challenges scholars to analyze the reaction three different ways — the real substances, the chemical equation, and the molecular models. Class members experiment...
Curated OER
Edible Atom/Molecule
Upcoming chemists construct atom or molecule models out of candy. This is a classic idea that learners really enjoy; however, this lesson plan is vague. There is no instruction about the structure of atoms or molecules. Make sure you...
Curated OER
Models of Hydrocarbons
Students construct models of hydrocarbon molecules using candy and toothpicks. In this hydrocarbons lesson plan, students are given a sheet with the molecular formulas of hydrocarbons. As a group, they construct each molecule using...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure and Ionic Bonding (A Visual Approach)
Using toothpicks, marshmallows, and round colored sticky dots, physical science enthusiasts build models of an atomic nucleus. For this eighth grade chemistry lesson plan, they play an atom-naming game with the models that they have...
Learning Games Lab
Nitrogen in Fertilizer
Nitrogen is an essential element for productive farming. An interactive lesson explores the chemical makeup of different fertilizers and their corresponding nitrogen content. The interactive challenges individuals to complete molecular...
PhET
Build a Molecule
How many different molecules can you build? In a simulation, learners make molecules from given atoms. There are numerous collections from which to build three to five molecules from given kits of atoms. Scholars can also view their...
PhET
Molecule Shapes
The shape of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of atoms around the central atom and lone pairs of electrons. Scholars build models of molecules using single, double, and triple bonds. They can then see real molecules bond...
Curated OER
Molecular Architecture
High schoolers cuminate their study of molecular structure and bonding with this activity.
Curated OER
Molecular Origami
Students construct an origami models of different molecules. In this chemistry lesson, students explain what expansive soils are made up of. They discuss what happens when this expansive soil expands or shrinks.