Chemistry is the science of materials, Their properties, and how they react with each other. All materials are made of atoms. Why do some atoms combine with each other while other atoms do not? Because atoms just want to be happy! Atoms tend to be more stable, or "happy," when they have certain numbers of electrons whizzing around their cores. Where do they find extra Electrons if they need more to be happy? From other atoms that have too many Electrons, of course! When atoms share or exchange Electrons to be happy, they stick together. Happy atoms form molecules! This physical and digital kit lets you discover the world of molecules in an intuitive, hands-on way. Using a set of 17 Atom models representing 6 different elements, you can assemble your own molecular models. The atoms stick together easily with magnets: metal tips on the ends of rubbery arms, which represent free Electrons, snap onto magnetic bonding sites on the Atom spheres, which represent empty spots for Electrons in the atom's outermost Electron shell. But how do you know what the molecule you've snapped together is? You use the included app for iPad and iPhone to snap its picture, and the app uses state-of-the-art image recognition technology to identify the molecule. The app recognizes tens of thousands of molecules and presents detailed information about 120 of the most important ones, such as a molecule's usage, properties, hazards, formula, and structure. The app takes you on guided quests to discover new molecules and learn about them, and you can also track your progress, collecting sets of molecules that you have built and explored. Many people think of chemistry as complicated and hard to grasp. New technology Now enables us to take this innovative approach to teaching chemistry, making it more tangible and instinctive than ever before. Requires iPad or iPhone.
What do you do with Happy Atoms?
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BuildBuild hundreds of molecules from plastic atom models that connect easily using magnets. Experiment on your own by snapping together atoms to form molecules, or follow detailed step-by-step instructions for 49 molecules. Because the physical atom models already have the correct number of free electrons and empty bonding sites, it is difficult to build a molecule that doesn’t actually exist! | DiscoverDiscover what molecules you’ve built! Using the included Happy Atoms app and the camera on your tablet or smartphone (sold separately), you can scan your creation. The app then identifies the molecule using state-of-the-art image recognition technology. For 49 of the molecules you can build with the Introductory Set, the app provides detailed information about them, including their composition, usage, properties, the breakdown of their chemical names, any hazards the molecules could pose, how the molecules are used in the real world, and much more. The app will also provide basic information about the hundreds of other molecules you can build with the 17-atom set. | ExploreExplore the molecules you discover, assemble collections of them, and complete guided chemistry tasks in the app. All 49 molecules are organized into the World of Molecules, a map organized by the type of atoms that are in the molecule. For example, if the molecule has carbon in it, you will likely find it in the Carbon Nation. If you build a special, uncharted molecule, you’ll find it in the Frontier. There are all sorts of molecules waiting to be discovered! |
Product Features
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The Physical AtomsThe atom models in the set are made of plastic spheres that connect using magnets: metal tips on the end of rubbery arms (clear for ionic bonds, white for covalent bonds) represent the free electron(s) from that atom, making electrons simpler for kids to quickly visualize. Flat magnet sites on the atoms represent how many electrons that atom can receive. The magnet system provides a clear picture of how bonding works: energy is released to form bonds & energy is required to break bonds. Kids experience the ease of connecting atoms (forming bonds) and the effort of disconnecting atoms (breaking bonds) with the magnetic connectors. The atoms vary in size depending on atomic mass, while the flexibility of the rubbery arms demonstrate that bonds are not rigid. Each atom has its element’s symbol printed on it & the physical models in Happy Atoms enable kids to visualize single, double & triple bonds—something you can’t do without the use of small parts in the ball-and-stick modeling system! | The AppThe Happy Atoms app uses the camera in your smartphone or tablet (sold separately) to scan the molecule you’ve created & analyzes it based on each atom’s size, shape & markings, as well as each atom’s relative position to one another, to determine the identity of the molecule. After the molecule is discovered, the app presents information about it: its composition, systematic name, usage, properties, structure & more. The app recognizes up to 10,000 molecules & presents in-depth information about 150 molecules and general information about the rest. The World of Molecules map stores kids’ discoveries & Harper & Andee, characters within the app, accompany kids on their chemistry adventure, offering encouragement & asking for help with their research. This digital platform provides a gamified learning environment for kids to study chemistry. Requires a tablet or smartphone running iOS 8 (or later) or Android 4.4 (or later, with 1GB RAM, dual-core processor, and camera), not included. | What's InsideHappy Atoms: Introductory Set comes with 17 atom models that represent 6 different elements: 8 Hydrogen atoms, 3 Carbon atoms, 2 Nitrogen atoms, 2 Oxygen atoms, 1 Sodium atom, and 1 Chlorine atom. The 6 elements represented in this kit are some of the most common and important atoms for a student to learn about when they are building the groundwork for their study of chemistry. The set also comes with the Happy Atoms app (free to download on the App Store, from Google Play, or in the Kindle store), a periodic table poster that doubles as a scanning mat, and a Quickstart Guide that gets kids using Happy Atoms right away, offering up some initial experiments and guidance to familiarize them with the Happy Atoms system. |
About the Creators
Happy Atoms: Introductory Set
Digital & Physical Chemistry Set
- Ages 10-17
- 17 atoms
- 6 elements
- 73 activities
- 16-page, full-color Quickstart Guide & Experiment Manual
- 1 periodic table poster/white paper scanning mat
- Happy Atoms app for iOS and Android
Happy Atoms is a molecular modeling system that bridges the analog and digital worlds. You can assemble your own molecular models using a set of 17 atoms representing 6 different elements. Then, the included app uses state-of-the-art vision algorithms to recognize the molecules you've created and provide information about them. The app takes you on guided quests to discover new molecules and tracks your progress, collecting sets of molecules that you've built and explored.
Thames & Kosmos
From science experiment kits to board games to craft kits and magic sets, Thames & Kosmos products offer wholesome entertainment & engaging educational experiences for people--and families!--of all ages. T&K places an emphasis on teaching concepts & skills through tactile processes. Our vision is to give all children access to real, physical activities and projects that teach them how things work.
Schell Games
Schell Games is a full-service game design and development company, which specializes in creating transformational games and innovative, interactive experiences. The company crafts transformational games, or games that change people for the better. Not only do our games educate players and advocate for change, but they are fun!
Happy Atoms is funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Education Science, U.S. Department of Education. Classroom viability and student learning outcome strategies have been and continue to be conducted by WestEd.
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- Build, scan, and identify molecules: the simplest way to learn about atoms, bonding, and chemistry
- The 17-atom set includes these atoms: 8 H, 3 C, 2 N, 2 O, 1 NA, and 1 cl
- Includes the free happy atoms app (free download), scanning mat/periodic table poster, and quick start manual
- A digital and physical chemistry set, tested with teachers and students
- The app is available for Android, Kindle and iOS devices
- Parent's Choice silver award winner, kapi award winner for innovation
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