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Intro to Chemistry with the Chemistry Resource Pack

Science · Grades 6-10

Minecraft Education Edition includes a Chemistry Resource Pack with an Element Constructor, Compound Creator and Lab Table. Students build elements from protons, neutrons and electrons, then combine them into real compounds.

Objective

Students model atomic structure and simple compounds and explain how protons determine the element.

Materials

• Minecraft Education Edition (Chemistry Resource Pack is built in)
• Periodic table handout

Steps

1. Open the Element Constructor and build hydrogen, then helium, by changing proton count. Note how the element changes.
2. Change neutron count to create isotopes and discuss what stays the same.
3. Use the Compound Creator to make water (H2O) and salt (NaCl).
4. Use the Lab Table to combine compounds and observe reactions.
5. Record observations in a lab notebook.

Discussion questions

• What single number on the Element Constructor decides which element you have?
• What is the difference between an isotope and a different element?
• Why is water written as H2O?

Variations

Advanced students balance a simple equation and predict the product before building it.