Atom Secrets 1 and Hands-On Molecule Model Building (STEM/STEAM course)
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursAssessment
Learner progress will be assessed through class participation and a fun, humorous quiz at the end of each session.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Note: This course is now offered as past of a more in-depth 16-week course, which bundles all 4 of our Atom Secrets classes into 1 course, at a 10% discount. The semester course is linked below (please copy-paste this link into a web browser to view): https://outschool.com/classes/atom-secrets-levels-1-4-semester-course-16-sessions-meeting-once-a-week-stem-hkYHq2xP This 12-session course introduces learners to key atomic, molecular and chemistry concepts, and then applies those concepts to building a wide range of molecule models using a high school-level organic chemistry model-building kit! Hands-on molecule modeling kits are often used at the high school level since they provide a highly visual, intuitive and hands-on way to approach abstract chemistry concepts. We're focused on bringing molecule model-building learning opportunities to young learners ages 9-13, to empower students to explore chemistry at a young age. Each class session's content is described in detail below: Sessions 1-4 introduces learners to 54 atomic elements, while exploring advanced concepts such as electron orbitals, covalent and ionic molecular bonds, and the structure of the Periodic Table. Why is the Periodic Table shaped the way it is? Students learn the atomic "secrets" behind the underlying organization of the Periodic Table, and how to read it. The course materials include 54 full-color cartoon Atom Flash Cards and a full-color illustrated Periodic Table of Elements, downloadable as printable PDFs. In addition, Review Handouts are provided for each class session. These printable resources are included with course registration (printing is optional and not required to participate). Session 1: Rows 1-2, Hydrogen (1) to Neon (10) Session 2: Row 3, Sodium (11) to Argon (18) Session 3: Row 4, Potassium (19) to Krypton (36) Session 4: Row 5, Rubidium (37) to Xenon (54), plus overview of structure for the remaining Periodic Table elements Sessions 5-12 - Hands-on Molecule Model Building and Molecular Exploration Through building 3-dimensional molecule structures, we'll explore molecular bonding concepts and help students understand a wide variety of molecules, starting simply and gradually building in complexity. We'll discuss the physical and chemical properties of each molecule built, and discuss conditions for molecule formation. Session 5: - Introduce modeling molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon - Building 2-atom molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon; review chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built Session 6: - Building 3-atom molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon - Building the molecule of Ethene and learning about the process of polymerization; review chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built Session 7: - Building Allotropes of Carbon: Diamond, Graphite and Graphene - Learning how the arrangement of carbon atoms affects the properties of the allotrope - Building models with Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine; review chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built Session 8: - Building more complex models with Boron, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur - Learning about exceptions to the Octet Rule of Molecular formations; review the chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built Session 9: - Building molecules present in our food and exploring how they interact with the molecules present in our bodies. We will construct the molecules of acetic acid (Vinegar) and Glucose (a Sugar) and learn how the shapes of these molecules affect their properties and give them their unique characteristics. Session 10: - Exploring molecules that we can smell! We'll build the following Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Acetone and Limonene and discuss how our noses work to sense them. We'll also learn about isomers, and how changing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule can produce very different properties. Session 11: - Building proteins! Proteins in our body belong to a group of molecules called biomolecules. These are molecules produced by living things and are very important for life. Proteins help generate muscles, transmit messages and the transport of different chemicals. All proteins are made of molecules called Amino Acids. These are the building blocks of proteins. We'll build a template for an Amino Acid and point out the different sections while explaining why the molecules are called Amino Acids. We'll also explore protein structure and protein folding. Session 12: - Our final session delves into biomolecules, energy molecules and reactions within living systems. We'll explore ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate. To carry out various functions we need energy. In our bodies and the bodies of other living creatures, a molecule called ATP provides energy to drive many processes. ATP is a large molecule made of three parts, a nitrogen base, a sugar called ribose and a phosphorus molecule (triphosphate). We'll make these individual molecules and then assemble them into ATP. Next, we'll discuss the chemical reaction of photosynthesis. The molecule of ATP is also used in Photosynthesis to make food for the plant and release oxygen into the environment. Note: Sessions 5-12 uses the kit listed below: Old Nobby Organic Chemistry Modeling Kit, $22 Available from Amazon - search for OLD NOBBY Organic Chemistry Model Kit (239 Pieces) to find this specific kit. It is recommended to purchase this specific kit or a similar ball-and-stick type kit with at least 230 pieces, so that students can easily follow along with the instructor. (Note: the "Happy Atoms" kits don't include enough Carbon atoms and have a different magnetic design that doesn't represent bond angles accurately, so they are not a good fit for this course).
Learning Goals
A detailed description of each session's learning goals is listed below:
Session 1: Hydrogen (1) to Neon (10)
Students will learn about:
- Atoms and subatomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons)
- The origin of atoms in the Big Bang, stars and supernovas
- Specific properties, forms and uses of Hydrogen, Helium, Carbon and Oxygen
- Unique molecular properties of water and carbon-based molecules that support formation of life
- Summary of common uses of Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Nitrogen, Fluorine and Neon
- Electron orbitals and the importance of the valence (outer) electron shell
- Structure of the Periodic Table of Elements based on electron shell levels
Session 2: Sodium (11) to Argon (18)
Students will learn about:
- Atoms and subatomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons)
- Specific properties, forms and uses of Sodium, Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine and Argon
- Ionic and covalent molecular bonding
- Electron orbitals and the importance of the valence (outer) electron shell
- Structure of the Periodic Table of Elements based on electron shell levels
Session 3: Potassium (19) to Krypton (36)
Students will learn about:
- Atoms and subatomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons)
- Ionic and covalent molecular bonding
- Specific properties, forms and uses of Potassium, Calcium, Gallium, Germanium, Arsenic, Selenium, Bromine and Krypton
- Introduction to the Transition Metals, focusing on Iron, Cobalt, Nickel and Copper, and their magnetic properties (ferromagnetism and paramagnetism)
- Electron orbitals and the importance of the valence (outer) electron shell
- Structure of the Periodic Table of Elements based on electron shell levels
Session 4: Rubidium (37) to Xenon (54)
Students will learn about:
- Atoms and subatomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons)
- Ionic and covalent molecular bonding
- Electron orbitals, suborbitals (s, p, d, f) and the importance of the valence (outer) electron shell
- Specific properties, forms and uses of Rubidium, Strontium, Indium, Tin, Antimony, Tellurium, Iodine and Xenon
- Introduction to the Transition Metals, including Palladium, Silver and Cadmium
- Structure of the Periodic Table of Elements based on electron shell levels, including the remaining elements in the Table
Session 5:
Students will learn about:
- Introduce modeling molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon
- Introduction to the various parts in the hands-on 3D Modeling Kit (if possible, please purchase the recommended kit, so that your learner can follow along easily with the instructor)
- Building 2-atom molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon
- The chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built
- Introduce Allotropes - different atomic structures of an element, and how the different qualities of the structures affects the element's physical properties
- Building Allotropes of Oxygen
- The chemical and physical attributes of the Oxygen Allotropes built
Session 6:
Students will learn about:
- Building 3-atom molecules with Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon
- The chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built
- The chemical and physical characteristics of the Carbon allotropes built
- Introduce constructing molecules with Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
Session 7:
Students will learn about:
- Building Allotropes of Carbon
- Building more complex models with Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen and Chlorine
- The chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built
- Introduce constructing molecules with Iodine and Sulfur
Session 8:
Students will learn about:
- Building more complex models with Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Chlorine, Iodine and Sulfur
- The chemical and physical characteristics of the molecules built
- Add constructing molecules with Fluorine and Bromine
Session 9:
In this session, we'll build molecules present in our food and explore how they interact with the molecules present in our bodies. We will construct the molecules of acetic acid (Vinegar) and Glucose (a Sugar) and learn how the shapes of these molecules affect their properties and give them their unique characteristics.
Session 10:
This session explores molecules that we can smell! We'll build the following Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Acetone and Limonene and discuss how our noses work to sense them. We'll also learn about isomers, and how changing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule can produce very different properties.
Session 11:
This session leaps into proteins! Proteins in our body belong to a group of molecules called biomolecules. These are molecules produced by living things and are very important for life. Proteins help generate muscles, transmit messages and the transport of different chemicals. All proteins are made of molecules called Amino Acids. These are the building blocks of proteins. We'll build a template for an Amino Acid and point out the different sections while explaining why the molecules are called Amino Acids. We'll also explore protein structure and protein folding.
Session 12:
This session delves into biomolecules, energy molecules and reactions within living systems. We'll explore ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate. In Session 15, we learnt about the importance of proteins in our bodies. However, to carry out various functions we need energy. In our bodies and the bodies of other living creatures, a molecule called ATP provides energy to drive many processes. ATP is a large molecule made of three parts, a nitrogen base, a sugar called ribose and a phosphorus molecule (triphosphate). We'll make these individual molecules and then assemble them into ATP. Next, we'll discuss the chemical reaction of photosynthesis. The molecule of ATP is also used in Photosynthesis to make food for the plant and release oxygen into the environment. We'll recreate this chemical reaction with our molecule kit.
Other Details
Supply List
The following learning materials are included with registration and posted as downloadable PDFs in the Classroom: - Printable Atom Card PDFs for atomic elements 1-54 (Hydrogen to Xenon) - Printable Periodic Table PDF Handouts (simplified version & complete version) - Printable Review Handout PDFs after each session Please note: These PDF handouts are too large to be emailed, so please visit the Course Classroom to download them. For sessions 9-12, we'll use the kit listed below: Old Nobby Organic Chemistry Modeling Kit, $25 Available from Amazon - please search for "OLD NOBBY Organic Chemistry Model Kit" (239 Pieces) to find this specific kit. It is recommended to purchase this kit or a similar ball-and-stick type kit with at least 230 pieces, so that students can easily follow along with the instructor. Any similar ball-and-stick type kit may be used, since color-coding of atoms is fairly standardized (there may be minor differences between kits which can be clarified in class as needed). Please Note: the "Happy Atoms" kits don't include enough Carbon atoms and have a different magnetic design that doesn't represent bond angles accurately, so they are not a good fit for this course.
6 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
We're dedicated to introducing young students to the amazing world of quantum physics, invention & science research! We've been offering STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) classes and creating educational materials for students of all ages for over 15 years. We're excited to share this course content with more students through Outschool.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$180
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
50 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
2-12 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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