THAMES KOSMOS 585002 Happy Atoms Magnetic Molecular Modeling Set and Introductory Set Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- Thames Kosmos
Table of Contents
Welcome to the World of Happy Atoms!
Happy Atoms provides a fun and intuitive way for kids to jump into chemistry
education by building models of molecules and identifying them. Kids learn
about the molecules they build by scanning them with the free Happy Atoms app
to identify them. This Happy Atoms kit includes two-dimensional (2D) atom
puzzle pieces with which to build the molecules. A three-dimensional (3D)
version of Happy Atoms is also available, with 3D plastic and magnetic atoms.
The app uses image recognition technology to identify the molecules you build
with either the 2D or 3D atoms. The app guides you through the assembly and
identification of many important molecules. Have fun!
When using the Happy Atoms app with Happy Atoms 2D, simply substitute the 2D
puzzle pieces for the 3D atoms shown in the app.
Getting Started
- Please start by installing the free app. Follow the instructions on pages 2 and 3 to get started with the Happy Atoms app.
- Take a closer look at the atom puzzle pieces included in this kit. What do you notice about them? You can read more about how to use the Happy Atoms system on page 4.
Happy Atoms 2D Kit Contents
Atom Puzzle Pieces:
The Happy Atoms 2D system includes 50 puzzle pieces representing the 16
elements. Here is an overview showing how many of each element is included in
this kit.
Bond Extenders:
Use these pieces to connect bonds that don’t “reach” on their own.
3D Happy Atoms:
Samples of the atoms from the 3D Happy Atoms system are included so you can
get a feel for it.
WARNING — This product contains small magnets. Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled.
Getting Started with the Happy Atoms App
Installing the App
1a Open the iOS App Store, Google Play, or the Amazon Appstore on your tablet
or smartphone. Search for the “Happy Atoms” app.
1b Alternatively, you can scan the QR code to the right to open the Happy
Atoms product web page. Scroll to the “Downloads” section of the page. There
you can find buttons to open the Happy Atoms app store pages.
2 When you have found the Happy Atoms app, tap the “Get” or “Install” button
to download and install it on your device. The app is free to download and
install.
3 After the app has finished installing, tap the app icon to open it. Now you
are ready to start using the app.
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Using the App
The Happy Atoms app is designed to guide you through the process of using the Happy Atoms system: Building molecules, scanning molecules to discover them, learning about the molecules you discover, and conducting the guided research tasks. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
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When you open the app for the first time, you are asked to select which specific Happy Atoms set you to have. To use the app with Happy Atoms 2D, select “I have the Complete Set” on this screen.
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You are then welcomed aboard The Nucleus, the name of your flying scientific ship, by Harper and Andee, your research colleagues with this ship, and Harper and Andee’s
guidance, you can navigate the world of Happy Atoms!
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Next, the app takes you through some calibration steps for your device’s built-in camera, so that it can function as a molecule scanner.
To use the app with Happy Atoms 2D, whenever 3D atoms are shown in the app, simply replace them with the 2D atoms from your kit.
Note
In order for the molecule scanner to work properly, you must place your built molecules on a white surface for scannings, such as a white table, sheet of paper, or table cloth.
Another important factor in getting your molecules to scan properly is the light level. The molecule scanner works best in bright, indoor lighting. It will not work as well in dim lighting or very bright direct sunlight. If you are having trouble getting the app to recognize your molecules, try adjusting the light level and the white background
surface.
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Place the Helium, Neon, and Argon atom puzzle pieces on a white surface and tap the camera icon on the right side of the screen to take a picture of them.
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Next, you will calibrate the camera by making and scanning your first molecule.
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Follow the step-by-step assembly instructions to assemble two Hydrogen atom puzzle pieces and one Oxygen atom puzzle piece into a molecule. Then scan it.
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After successfully scanning, tap “Discover” to learn what molecule you made.
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Tap “Examine” to learn about the molecule.
Now that you know the basic process for making, scanning, and identifying a
molecule, try following the hints on other territories to build new
molecules. Or tap on a territory to open step-by-step building
instructions for a specific molecule.
Ultimately, your goal is to build and discover all of the molecules suggested
by the app, to complete the molecule map. You can also go into Harper and
Andee’s labs to complete a series of tasks in the guided lesson plans.
Using the Happy Atoms 2D and 3D Systems
Happy Atom is a part digital, a part physical system for teaching chemistry.
The digital component is an educational app. The physical component is a set
of atom models representing 16 different elements, either as 3D plastic models
or 2D puzzle pieces. Happy Atoms 2D is a lower-cost alternative to the
original 3D Happy Atoms, allowing you to use the same educational app by
substituting the magnetic 3D atom models with the 2D puzzle piece atom models.
The following is an overview of the 2D and 3D atom models. If you are already
familiar with other molecular modeling systems, it is especially important to
understand the unique way atoms and bonds are represented in the Happy Atoms
system.
- The arms (in both the 2D and 3D models) and thee – circles (in the 2D models) represent the valence electrons (the electrons on the outermost shell of an atom that are important for chemical bonds) of the atom.
- Unlike a ball-and-stick atomic modeling system, Happy Atoms uses two arms to represent a single bond. By representing electrons this way, students may better understand that there are two valence electrons involved in a single covalent bond. The ball-and-stick model represents a single covalent bond using just one arm to represent two electrons.
- In the 3D models, the flexible arms make it possible to model double bonds. This is achieved in the 2D models by using corner and straight bond extender puzzle pieces.
- By using six arms or four bond extenders, even triple bonds can be modeled.
- Happy Atoms is also able to represent ionic bonding. The elements in the first two groups of the periodic table have clear arms and no magnetic bonding sites (3D) or just one arm (2D), to show how they give up, rather than share, electrons.
- The magnetic connections in the 3D model offer an embodied, tactile experience of bonding: Energy is released when bonds form, while energy is required to break bonds. Students feel how the magnets and arms easily pull themselves together when forming bonds. They also feel how the magnets and arms resist being pulled apart when bonds break.
When building molecules with either the 2D or 3D Happy Atoms systems, you want to fill up all the bonding sites (magnetic holes or concave jigsaw puzzle piece areas) with electrons in order to create “happy atoms” — in other words, atoms with full outer valence shells.
Additional Resources
Scan this QR code for helpful tips if you are having trouble using the Happy Atoms app.
Scan this QR code to visit the Happy Atoms product page for the full-length
manual and sample lesson plans for educators.
https://qrs.ly/4pcr4zl
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