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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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)
For additional resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.
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.
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.
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
For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.
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)
For teacher resources please visit 3D Molecular Designs.
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.
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.
Related Pages
SEP Curriculum
Our free, open-source lessons and units are geared towards high school biotech and biology teachers and focus on giving students opportunities to explore biotechnology and the social dimensions of research science.
SEP Teacher Sharing
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.