Name that Molecule CHALLENGE

winners announced
Challenge Details

YOUR CHALLENGE IS:

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

Challenge Closed





**NEW FINALISTS ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: MAY 11, 2021**

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. Please do NOT include your NAME or FACE in your submission. Get in your element … and good luck!

WINNERS

1
Grades K-5 Winner
Srinija C.
Tampa, FL
Capsaicin
Grades K-5 Finalist
Aaditya V.
Westford, MA
Sshhhhhh! The Secret of Tomato
Grades K-5 Finalist
Purush S.
Irving, TX
6-Gingerol
Grades K-5 Finalist
Tanya S.
Boxborough, MA
Soap saves lives
1
Grades 6-12 Winner
Brett W.
Mount Kisco, NY
Luciferin: The Light-Bearer
Grades 6-12 Finalist
Ace E.
Long Beach, CA
Nature's Pick-Me-Up
Grades 6-12 Finalist
Aditi G.
Katy, TX
Chlorophyll a
Grades 6-12 Finalist
Arnan G.
San Ramon, CA
Cholecalciferol
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DATES / JUDGING CRITERIA / PRIZES

You have to play by the rules to win.

WHO CAN ENTER

Individual K-12 Students in US public, private, and home schools (including U.S. territories & possessions and schools operated by the U.S. for the children of American personnel overseas). NO team entries allowed! For all eligibility details, please refer to the rules.
Grades K-5
Grades 6-12

JUDGING CRITERIA

Grades K-5
 
60
POINTS
Description of the molecule, its composition, properties, and/or relevance in our world
40
POINTS
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
23
October
Entries Close
03
February
Finalists Announced
11
May
Winner Announced
18
May
Challenge Launch
23
October
Entries Close
03
February
Finalists Announced
11
May
Winner Announced
18
May

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
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design
Links & Lessons
>
Links & Lessons
Digital Tools
Brainstorm & Design

LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

The lesson plans, slide decks, and worksheets below teach students about molecular structures, how to decode molecular formulas, and the differences between structural formulas, perspective drawings, ball and stick models and space fill models. There is also a brainstorming lesson plan to help students explore different kinds of molecules. These lessons are aligned with middle school NGSS standards.

Brainstorm & Design

It’s brainstorm time! Students can explore 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 everyday natural supplements - like vitamins. What might these molecules look like?

 

 

Digital Tools

Learn the basics of 3D modeling
Online Service
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.
Mac or PC (Cloud Connected)
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.
Online Service
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

FOR THE CLASSROOM

Group Size

Split into 8 teams

Approach

Assign each team a video lesson and have them present what they learned

Material

None

Educator tools

 
 
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