Students will begin the lesson reviewing what they already know about Matter and States of Matter. We will move into the concept that all matter is made up of atoms and when you break apart an atom, you release the subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons) that make up the structure of the atom. These subatomic particles are the basis of quantum science. In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of atomic structure, quantum science, and practice building elements based on their atomic structure. (Most appropriate for grade levels 6-8.)
Lesson Time: 70 minutes
Student Activity 1: Student groups will experiment with static electricity, charged particles, attraction, and repulsion.
Student Activity 2: In this activity, student groups will build atomic models after figuring out how many protons, electrons, and neutrons are needed.
Group work: Students will work in groups of 3-4 students. In order to save time, teachers are asked to create the groups before our Wizard arrives.
Science Standards:
6.PS.1: Matter is made up of small particles called atoms.
7.PS.1: Elements can be organized by properties.
Critical Technology Connections:
The "Building Atoms" lesson provides a foundational introduction to Quantum Science by exploring the structure of atoms and the behavior of subatomic particles. While simplified for middle schoolers, the lesson uses static electricity as a tangible example of how electron behavior, governed by quantum principles, manifests in the everyday world. This connection, though basic, lays the groundwork for understanding that quantum science explores the unique properties of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels