Model Kits

Molecular Modeling Kits

SEP has adapted lessons and teaching tools developed by our colleagues at the Center for Biomolecular Modeling (CBM). More information about these and many other modelling sets can be found at CBM's website and 3-D Molecular Design, the sister company that sells many of the modeling supplies. Teaching resources are available at the 3DMD site. If you are looking to kits associated with SEP curriculum, please see the Curriculum-based Kits page.

Kit Sign Up Process

NOTE: Please give us a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice so we can process your request.

1. Complete Online Demographic Form (only needs to be done once, skip if already filled out) Estimated numbers are OK.

2. Fill out the request form and indicate which kit you are requesting.

School-Year Kit Request Form

3: Confirmation Email: Once we have your items scheduled we will send a preliminary email summarizing your items and dates for pick up and drop off.

General Model Kits

These are our model kits for modeling various biological concepts from the properties of water to serial dilutions.

Illustration by Regina Wu

The Water Kit is a fun tool to help teach water concepts. In this kit, SEP provides a pre-lab, in which students use actual water to generate questions. All the material for the different stations, including pennies and soap for testing water tension, are provided.

The magnetic water models can then be used to interact with water on the molecular level. The student booklets provided in each kit contains different activities designed to model concepts like hydrogen bonding. Each water kit contains 18 cups filled with magnetic water models.

SEP has 6 Water Model Kits
Each kit contains materials for Water Olympics, 18 Student Booklets, 18 “Cups” of magnetic water, including 12 water molecules, 1 sodium, 1 chlorine, 1 ethane
Activities are designed for 16 pairs of students (32 total) with two sets for teacher demonstrations

Water Models and Water Olympics Teaching Resources Landing Page

For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Hanako Osuga

In this lesson, students are introduced to different models of DNA. Students compare the various models to discuss the strengths and limitations of models.

SEP has 2 DNA Model Comparison Kits
Each kit comes with multiple different models of DNA for students and handouts
The activity is designed for the whole class to work with the same set of DNA models

DNA Model Comparison Student Worksheets

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Hanako Osuga

In this lesson, students are introduced to serial dilutions. Students perform a serial dilution of glitter to model how serial dilutions and parts per million work.

SEP has 2 Glitter Dilution Kits
Each kit comes with Glitter Dilution Solution, 8 sets of falcon tubes, and biodegradable glitter
Labs are designed for 8 groups of 4 students (32 total)

Teacher Guide

Clean-up Guide

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

In this activity, students are introduced to the process of replicating, transcribing, and translating DNA into proteins through a modeling activity designed by 3D Molecular Designs.

Each kit comes with 8 students sets and 1 teacher set of the models
Activities are designed for 8 groups of 4 students.

For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

Model Kit Request Form

In this activity, students learn about the structure and function of DNA and its parts through activities designed by 3D Molecular Designs.

Each kit comes with 8 student sets and 1 teacher set of the models
Activities are designed for 8 groups of 4 students (32 total)

Teacher Guide

For additional resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

Model Kit Request Form

Protein Folding Model Kits

These modeling kits are specifically for teaching protein folding. We have a variety of modeling kits that can demonstrate amino acid properties and their impact on the shape and function of proteins.

Illustration by Regina Wu

The Pizza kit allows your students to explore how the unique chemical properties of the 20 amino acids help determine protein foldings and shape. Mini-Toobers, color-coded amino acids, and a magnetic “chemical properties” circle (pizza pan) help engage students in a hands-on folding activity and visually build their understanding of protein structure and function. Additional guide sheets are provided for teachers to help explain electrons and bonds, amino acid structure, and protein folding.

SEP has 4 Pizza Amino Acid Starter kits
Each kit contains 8 magnetic pizza pans, 8 mini-toobers, amino acid clips, hydrogen bond parts, posters and handouts
Activities are designed for 8 groups of 4 students (32 total)

For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Hanako Osuga

The Molymod Model Kit gives students the chance to explore amino acid structure using engaging Molymod models. Each tube contains enough parts to assemble 2 amino acids (students work in pairs). The models provide a strong 3-D visual representation of amino acid structure. Additional tutorial sheets are provided for teachers to help explain electrons and bonds, amino acid structure, and protein folding.

SEP has 2 Molymod Kits
Each kit contains 20 tubes containing model parts (atoms and bonds) and extra parts. Amino Acids R Us Poster and instructions and handouts
Activities are designed for 16 pairs of students (32 total) and two sets for teacher demonstration

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Regina Wu

The Toober Model Kit is another kit designed for students to explore protein folding. The large “Toober” represents a polypeptide chain (protein) backbone and the colored tacks symbolize the amino acid side chains. Using their understanding of the chemical properties of the amino acid side chains (tacks), the students folder their protein (Toober). Additional tutorial sheets are provided for teachers to help explain electrons and bonds, amino acid structure, and protein folding.

SEP has 2 Toober kits
Each kit contains 22 toobers and tacks and an Amino Acids R Us poster and handouts
Activities are designed for 15 pairs of students (30 total)

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Hanako Osuga

Explore the steps involved in the synthesis of insulin, beginning with mRNA, using gene maps, to create a 3-dimensional model of insulin. This kit is geared more towards upper level students but can be taught in conjunction with the Pizza and Molymod Kits.

SEP has 3 Insulin Kits
Each kit contains insulin mRNA to protein, a paper bioinformatics, and mini-Toober folding activity
Activities are designed for 16 pairs of students (32 total) and teacher demonstration

For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Illustration by Hanako Osuga

In this lesson, students are introduced to protein folding. They will explore hemoglobin and the various levels of it's structure. This kit is for demonstrations only, does not include a protein folding activity.

SEP has 1 beta globin kit
Each kit comes with toobers, hemoglobin mRNA to protein, and a model of hemoglobin

For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.

MODEL KIT REQUEST FORM

Related Pages

Illustration of worksheets and a notebook

We have set up a Google folder for teachers to share resources.

The Google folder contains a several subfolders on SEP kit-related topics shared by SEP teachers. There is also a subfolder on CRISPR resources, videos, and lessons.
Create new folders to add other resources you'd like to share but model the general structure in the CRISPR folder (for example, articles and videos are probably easiest to share in a hyperlinked document and SEP Teacher Lessons in their own folder).
Indicate your name on any lessons that you have developed.

Google Folder for Teacher Sharing

Model Kits

Molecular Modeling Kits

Kit Sign Up Process

General Model Kits

Protein Folding Model Kits

Related Pages

SEP Curriculum

SEP Teacher Sharing

Model Kits

Molecular Modeling Kits

Kit Sign Up Process

General Model Kits

Water Model Kit

DNA Model Comparison Kit

Glitter Dilution Kit

Flow of Genetic Information Kit (New!)

Dynamic DNA Kit (New!)

Protein Folding Model Kits

Amino Acid Pizza Kit

Moly Mod Amino Acid Kit

Toober Protein Folding Kit

Insulin Protein Folding Kit

Beta Globin Protein Folding Kit

Related Pages

SEP Curriculum

SEP Teacher Sharing