Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Atoms to Molecules: Constructing Helium

For Students 7th - 9th
Protons and neutrons and electrons, oh my! Physical science scholars get hands-on with interactive atomic modeling. Starting with a simple helium atom, participants create and name ions, then build isotopes. Questions throughout the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Silica Tetrahedron Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Very simply, pairs of learners construct a model of the tetrahedral silica structure using raisins and toothpicks. They dip it into a soapy solution and then blow a bubble "atom" into its center. The lesson plan gives instructions that...
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Gumdrop Atoms

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
There's nothing sticky about the resource, unless you count the gumdrops! Scholars create a model of a lithium atom, complete with protons, neutrons, and electrons. It's just that these models are made with gumdrops and toothpicks.
Lesson Plan
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American Chemical Society

Atoms Can Be Rearranged to Make Different Molecules

For Teachers 2nd
Uncover the building blocks of the universe as budding chemists explore atoms and molecules in an exciting inquiry-based activity. Investigators view an interactive video describing the chemical structure of six molecules. Using...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

The Modern Model of Atomic Structure

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The difference between atomic mass and atomic number can be confusing for some young chemists. Help your class better understand the concepts by allowing them to sketch an atom on paper and then discuss their experience. Upon completion...
App
Carolina Biological Supply

Building Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes HD

For Students 7th - 12th
Atomic theory, a periodic table, and a place to practice making atom models without having to draw every proton, neutron, electron, and orbital! This resource is colorful, visually pleasing, and easy to use. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Atom/Molecule

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gumdrop Crystal Models

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composition of the Atom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the structure of the atom and its composition. In this atom structure lesson, students find the area of cut out circles and drop pens into the circles. They count the number of marks in the circles and relate their...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Let's Break the Particles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Build learning by breaking atoms! Young scientists study the way energy changes with a hands-on activity. As they roll steel marbles down a ramp, learners test the hypothesis that kinetic energy does not go away with friction...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What do Atoms Look Like?

For Students 9th - 12th
In this atom worksheet, high schoolers answer 31 multiple choice questions about the structure of atoms, the periodic table, the reactivity of elements, orbital diagrams and the families of elements.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Model of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explain how a scanning tunneling microscope works. In this chemistry lesson, 9th graders construct atomic models and simulate how their images appear under the STM. They discuss the limitations of their atomic model.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atomic Structure and Ionic Bonding (A Visual Approach)

For Teachers 8th
Using toothpicks, marshmallows, and round colored sticky dots, physical science enthusiasts build models of an atomic nucleus. In this eighth grade chemistry lesson plan, they play an atom-naming game with the models that they have...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Atom Board - Making Atoms

For Students 5th - 12th
In this atom worksheet, chemists learn how to determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom using the atomic mass and atomic number. They complete a chart of the subatomic particles and use marbles to represent...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Molecular Models of Functional Groups

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this molecular model learning exercise, students use a molecular model kit to construct 13 different molecule models. After constructing the molecules, the students complete 32 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molecular Modeling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery : Structure of the Atom-A Case for Indirect Evidence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars investigate the structure of the atom through hands on activities. In this atomic structure lesson, students perform 4 activities showing indirect evidence of the structure of the atom and the parts of the atom. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atom and Eve

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars research and define an atom using a concept map. They design and create a model of an atom, labelling all the parts, and write a journal entry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mighty Molecules

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a PowerPoint production on molecules. Then they construct their own molecule and define what an atom, molecule, and matter is. They make a H2, HCI, and an H2O molecule. Finally, a drawing to accompany the actual model is...
Lesson Plan
Aquarium of the Pacific

Lego Molecules

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Young scientists construct an understanding of molecular compounds in this hands-on science lesson. Using LEGO® to model the atoms of different elements, young scholars build molecules based on the chemical formulas of common...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing Chemical Formulas

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students study how to write chemical fomulas by reviewing the combinations atoms form into compounds. They write a procedure to test various substances and name the compounds and write formulas. As they construct models for formulas and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the structure of matter. They examine pictures of atoms and molecules and discuss their relationships, and construct a model of a molecule using toothpicks and gumdrops.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Blocks of Matter

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners view videos and worksheets and construct a model of a water molecule. In this atomic structure lesson, students view video clips and handouts about matter and nanoscience. They construct a model of a water molecule with...
Lesson Plan
Rochester Institute of Technology

Molecules and Fuel Cell Technology

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A fuel cell is where the jailer keeps gas guzzlers. Scholars review chemical reactions, chemical bonds, and chemical structure in order to apply these concepts. Participants construct fuel cell kits, using electrolysis to run the car and...