Name That Molecule CHALLENGE

winners announced
Challenge Details

YOUR CHALLENGE IS:

TO CREATE A 3D MODEL OF A MOLECULE THAT YOU SEE OR INTERACT WITH EVERY DAY

Challenge Closed





K-12 Students

Your challenge is to create a digital 3D model of a molecule that you see or interact with every day. Submit your 3D model, an image of your entry, and a text explanation of your molecule including its molecular composition, properties, and/or relevance in our world. Be sure to review the CONTEST RULES and DESIGN GUIDELINES for all challenge details, including the privacy rules: No NAMES or FACES in your submission! Get in your element … and good luck!

WINNERS

Grades K-12
>
1
Grades K-12 Winner
Jordan E.
Hollywood, FL
Acetaminophen
Grades K-12 Finalist
Hannah K., Jagger G.
Elizabethtown, PA
Ascorbic Acid
Grades K-12 Finalist
Marc N.
Sewell, NJ
Palmitic Acid
Grades K-12 Finalist
Nipun R., Saksham S.
Germantown, TN
Dopamine: Key to Joy and More
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Ava P.
Woodbury, NJ
Acesulfame Potassium
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Cherise J.
Woodbury, NJ
Potassium Bitartrate
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Lauren L.
Los Altos, CA
Oxybenzone
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Meagan C.
Wenonah, NJ
Ytterbium Hydroxide
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Riley C.
Westville, NJ
Phytic Acid-C6H18O24P6
Grades K-12 SemiFinalist
Shriya M.
Littleton, CO
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
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DATES / JUDGING CRITERIA / PRIZES

You have to play by the rules to win.

WHO CAN ENTER

Individuals or Teams of up to 4 Students
All teammates must be in the same judging category
Grades K-12 Students
In the United States

JUDGING CRITERIA

Grades K-12
 
60
POINTS
Communication: Description of the molecule, it’s composition, properties, and/or relevance in our world.
40
POINTS
Visual Representation: How well the 3D model and image represent the molecule

HOW TO ENTER

Please review the Challenge Rules and Design Guidelines prior to creating your entry.

Challenge Rules Design Guidelines

TEACHERS
Sign up to register your class and manage entries. We now support Google Classroom too!

STUDENTS
Sign up on your own, or use a code to participate with your class.

STUDENT USING GOOGLE CLASSROOM?
Login to Submit

STUDENT & TEACHER SIGN UP
PROGRAM DATES
Challenge Launch
26
March
Entries Close
03
July
Semifinalists Announced
05
August
Finalists Announced
07
August
Finalist Interviews
17
August
Winners Announced
03
September
Challenge Launch
26
March
Entries Close
03
July
Semifinalists Announced
05
August
Finalists Announced
07
August
Finalist Interviews
17
August
Winners Announced
03
September

PRIZES

 

Dive Into The Challenge

Lesson Plan Details and Challenge Tips!

1. Links & Lessons

Learn about molecular structures

2. Digital Tools

Learn to create a 3D model

3. Brainstorm & Design

Pick a molecule & sketch a design

4. Build & Iterate

Build and Improve!
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design
Build & Iterate
Links & Lessons
>
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design
Build & Iterate

LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Students will learn about molecular structures. They will decode molecular formulas and discover the difference between structural formulas, perspective drawings, ball and stick models and space fill models.

Brainstorm & Design

It’s brainstorm time! Students will explore the different types of molecules they see and/or interact with in this world and choose their molecule for the challenge.
Brainstorming Idea
GASES

Take a deep breath and think about what gas molecules we take in and exhale. What molecules make up air, steam, smoke and pollution? Can you think of any other gases you interact with?

 

Brainstorming Idea
LIQUIDS

Water, juice, milk and shampoo are just some of the liquids we might come in contact with daily. What molecules are they made of?

Brainstorming Idea
SOLIDS

What types of solids do you encounter on a daily basis? Are the molecules natural or synthetic? This one is a bit tricky because some metal solids aren’t made of molecules. For example, a gold bar is only made of gold atoms! 

Brainstorming Idea
FOOD

We need food to give us energy. But, have you ever thought of what molecules make up food? What does sugar, chocolate or caffeine look like?  What atoms make up the carbs in bread, protein in beans or fat in bacon? 

 

Brainstorming Idea
HUMAN BODY

Our bodies contain seven octillion atoms. (That’s 7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, or 7 with 27 zeros!) These atoms make up thousands of different molecules. What are they, and how do they help us function? And beyond humans... what about your pets?

Brainstorming Idea
HEALTH & MEDICINE

Scientists design synthetic molecules for advanced medicines, treatments and therapy, but what about the more common medicines that we use for colds and cuts? Or every day natural supplements - like vitamins. What might these molecules look like?

 

Digital Tools

Learn the basics of 3D modeling.
TinkerCad
Make basic 3D models by stacking blocks together to create interesting 3D shapes. Good for beginner students to get interested in 3D design and 3D printing. COPPA compliant site for kids under 13.
Fusion 360
Take your skills to the next level with Fusion 360, a professional 3D design tool. It's good for making basic parametric shapes or complicated curves. Autodesk products are offered FREE for students, but you do need a student license to run the program.
Meshmixer
Make basic 3D models by stacking blocks together to create interesting 3D shapes. Good for beginner students to get interested in 3D design and 3D printing. COPPA compliant site for kids under 13.

Build & Iterate

It’s build time! Students will build and refine their 3D molecule, molecule image, and written explanation. They will experience the iterative nature of the engineering design process and use peer review to make sure all of their atoms and elements are represented as intended.
FOR THE CLASSROOM

Group Size

Max 4 Student per Team

Approach

Build and Improve

Material

Computer, Internet
 
 
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LAUNCHING THE INNOVATORS OF TOMORROW

Future Engineers hosts online innovation challenges for K-12 students. In 2014, Future Engineers launched its inaugural 3D printing in space challenge, sponsored by the ASME Foundation with technical assistance from NASA, which produced historic achievements including the first student-designed 3D print in space. Based on that success, and through the support of the U.S. Department of Education's SBIR Program, Future Engineers launched a multi-challenge platform in 2018 capable of hosting STEAM challenges of all kinds. All challenges are free for student/classroom participation