Modeling Molecules with Marshmallows!

The activity gives students turn chemical formulas into edible molecular models. Students use spaghetti noodles to represent the bonds in the molecule and various colored marshmallows to represent the atoms in the molecule. It is a wonderful visual for both students who are just beginning to learn about molecules and those that have an extensive background in molecules.

This activity is for students who at least have a background knowledge in atoms and elements. The following principles are taught in this lesson:

-Atoms
-Reading Chemical Formulas
-Molecules
-Bonding
-Chemical Symbols
-Atomic Subscripts

You could also do this activity at a higher level where students are expected to create a model showing sing, double, and triple bonds. This could be a introduction to modeling molecules or an assessment at the end of teaching about modeling molecules depending on which way you teach it.

Also available for purchase is an ActivInspire flipchart. In the flipchart, it has notes on how to read chemical symbols on the periodic table, how to read chemical formulas, and a model of each chemical formula found on the worksheet. Visit my website to find a preview of the flipchart:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Virginia-Roney-7916