After briefly introducing my girls to atoms and molecules this past summer, they both asked to learn more as part of our homeschooling this school year. So, looked online and in stores for books, workbooks and even movies to share with them, to help make learning about the world of molecules not only fun, but educational, too. I was surprised that I couldn't find a kid-friendly movie about atoms and molecules out there that was geared towards elementary grade levels. And, all the YouTube videos really weren't accurate, or were too over the top, that I wasn't going to share these with my girls.
It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I could finally say that I found a movie that teachers and homeschool parents could share with their kids when teaching about atoms and molecules. I was sent information about "Molecules to the Max!" which is a 40-minute animated movie that brings kids on a fun advenutre, to discover the molecular machinery of a living cell. This movie was nominated for Best Film Produced for the Giant Screen, Best Film for Lifelong Learning and Best Sound Design at the 2010 Giant Screen Cinema Association’s Achievement Awards. And, after screening it with my girls last week I can see why it was nominated for all these awards, as it is amazing movie, and one every teacher or homeschool family should own.
My girls loved the characters, Oxy an oxygen atom who is also the intrepid captain of the Molecularium ship, Hydro an energenic hydrogren atom, Hydra, a hydrogran atom who is curious about everything and Carbon who loves to ramble is always looking for an adventure, and Mel who is the computer of the Molecularium. Together, Oxy and her crew board the Molecularium and through the crystalline structure of a snowflake, blast through space and even escape the tangled polymer of a piece of chewing gum, all while teaching kids of all ages how cool science is and how atoms and molecules work.
There was so much information packed into this 40-minute animated adventure movie, and my girls were engaged from start to end. And, as soon as the movie ended, they asked when they could watch again, as they really enjoyed it. In addition to watching this movie the first time, we watched it again, while also utlizing the FREE educator resources (available for grades K-4 and Grades 5-8) over at www.molecularium. My girls can now talk with confidence about atoms and molecules, and love sharing what they learned thanks to Oxy and her friends, and this amazing movie, "Molecules to the Max!"
I highly recommend "Molecules to the Max!" especially if you homeschool. It has made teaching about atoms and molecules, which can usually be difficult if you science is not your strong suite. And, kids will have fun learned all the cool things about molecules, while having fun and going on a fun-filled adventure with Oxy and friends.
More about this movie:
"Molecules to the MAX!, an animated adventure aimed at exciting and educating kids about the world of atoms and molecules, is now available for streaming video from iTunes and Amazon. Originally released in Giant Screen and IMAX theaters, the film follows the mission of Oxy, a curious oxygen atom and her friends as they explore nanospace in a search for the secret of life. Developed by a team of scientists, artists and animators at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), the film is scheduled for release to both streaming platforms on September 27. For a sneak peek at the film trailer visit: www.moleculestothemax.com.
Molecules to the MAX! was created by Rensselaer’s Molecularium® Project, an educational initiative designed to teach children about science in entertaining ways. In the film, you are transported to places no one can ever go – using state-of-the-art molecular simulations. Kids learn about the basic atomic structures of everyday items, such as snowflakes, pennies and chewing gum, as they fly through nanospace aboard the Molecularium. Oxy, Captain of the ship, is dispatched from the Unified Field of Atoms on an expedition to discover the secret of life on Earth. Along with her crew – Hydra and Hydro, the curious hydrogen twins, and Mel, the uptight computer – they have many misadventures exploring the Earth's atmosphere, the cycle of water molecules through clouds, snowflakes and raindrops, and various common materials.
“One of my favorite aspects of Molecules to the MAX! is getting kids really excited about science. Now that this film is even more readily accessible through streaming, families, teachers and kids can watch it at home on smart TVs, computers, and even mobile devices,” said Richard W. Siegel Ph.D, founding director of Rensselaer’s Nanotechnology Center and innovator behind the Molecularium Project.
In addition to Molecules to the MAX!, the Project recently launched My Molecularium, a fun, free molecule building game application, where students learn real science while they play. This fast-paced game challenges players to build a wide variety of fascinating molecules from water and vitamin C to caffeine and adrenalin. My Molecularium is available for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play today! Visit: http://molecularium.com/MyMolecularium.html.
Other available educational productions include NanoSpace®, winner of the Center for Digital Education 2013 Best of the Web award, a free online amusement park, which includes more than 25 fun, interactive and educational games, short animated films and activities, and the Digital Dome film Molecularium – Riding Snowflakes, a 23- minute, award-winning show that introduced characters Oxy, Carbón, Hydra and Mel.
Catering to parents, teachers and homeschoolers, free educator resources for grades K-4 and 5-8 are also available on the Molecularium Project website at www.molecularium.com." There is also a super cool interactive, educational Molecularium app and website game, NanoSpace worth checking out, too: http://nanospace.molecularium.com.
Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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