Molecularium™

As we enter the 21st century, a truly grand challenge facing the materials research community is to educate and excite the general public about science, and to help create a science literate world. In response to this challenge, we created the Molecularium™ (Schadler, Garde, Siegel). Molecularium™ is a digital dome theater (like a planetarium) presentation, but instead of taking the audience on a ride into the stars, the Molecularium™ ship takes the audience on a ride into the world of atoms and molecules. This fantastical ship can shrink to molecular sizes and move as fast as the speed of light. To achieve scientific accuracy, we have merged advanced scientific computation with state-of-the-art digital animation, providing scientifically correct molecular animation. The first Molecularium™ show, "Riding Snow Flakes," premiered at the Children's Museum of Science and Technology in Troy , NY on February 4th, 2005. In this musical adventure aimed at K-5 students, Oxy, Hydro, and Hydra navigate the ship through the clouds, where they travel in a snowflake, watch it melt, and feel and observe the wind blowing past them. Musical segments emphasize the main message that everything is made of atoms and molecules. Children also learn about the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) and take a ride along a polymer molecule. These concepts support typical state science based outcomes for K-5 students, but are taught such that all ages are able to learn them. The Molecularium™ show is accompanied by both classroom preparation materials for teachers and hands-on activities for the students. We are also actively assessing the learning of both school groups and the general public as they participate in the Molecularium™ program. Preliminary assessment shows significant learning benefits. For more background information and learning tools, visit Molecularium online at www.molecularium.com.