About
Snatoms! The Magnetic Molecular Modeling Kit
$519,851
6,581
We hit our $420K stretch goal which means double and triple bonds are part of your Snatoms kit if you upgraded to that new reward level or added a new kit with bonds. In update #13 I'm celebrating you and our success. I'm in China right now ensuring the new kits and bonds are designed really well and are ready to go into production. Thank you backers, for being the most essential part of making Snatoms great!
Place Snatoms in stockings & under trees!
Snatoms gift certificates are now available! Click here to download and print a fun little Snatoms certificate that lets your loved one know a special Snatoms reward was purchased for them. Check out update #11 for more on this.
More EXCITING news!! You are now able to add extra kits and tees to your pledge! See update #8 for an example of how this works. Check out the table below for a quick guide on how much you should add to your pledge to get the extras you want. Again, this is another awesome idea brought to you by you and your fellow backers. Spread the word!
Update #9 includes a video where I show and tell more details about the new rewards and give you a closer look at Microsnatoms. Stay tuned for updates every day through the end of the campaign!
Update #10 addresses the higher level reward tiers and how those backers can upgrade their kit after the campaign ends! Plus, Hank Green shows of Snatoms.
Update #12 is a video update with a sneak peak into the design of the double bonds and more about Microsnatoms.
Update #14 is for backers only and contains a private link to a secret 2-hour podcast episode I recorded with Henry Reich of MinutePhysics.
Update #15 is a detailed description of each reward level. Rewards have changed since the beginning of the campaign because we reached stretch targets and added new rewards. This list includes my thoughts on which kits are the better value.
From day one, Snatoms backers have requested more features. I am excited to deliver on all the things you've been asking for, announcing...
Half the size, not half the fun, MICROSNATOMS are my idea of the pro version of Snatoms. They make building bigger molecules possible, so it's only fair that this kit include more atoms and elements.
Each kit includes 26 hydrogen, 12 carbon, 12 oxygen, 4 nitrogen, 4 halogen, 2 sulphur and 2 phosphorus atoms. The kit will also include double and triple bonds if and when we reach our stretch goal. Let’s get those bonds!! See the video in update #9 for a closer look at Microsnatoms.
We have a full-sized Snatoms EXPANSION kit! Each expansion kit includes:
- 26 hydrogen • 12 carbon • 12 oxygen • 4 nitrogen • 4 halogen • 2 sulphur • 2 phosphorus
- PLUS this kit will automatically include double and triple bonds when we reach our stretch goal - I'm confident we'll get there.
This is my early prototype of what the double bonds may look like. The bonding objects will not be suitable for young children (choking hazard).
Snatoms are a molecular modeling kit where the atoms snap together magnetically. Kits will include the three most important atoms for life: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen to make glucose - the basic sugar molecule.
The Snatoms kit includes six carbon atoms, six oxygen atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms. From these basic building blocks you can build tons of different compounds from water and hydrogen peroxide through to cyclohexane and glucose.
Snatoms allows people of all ages to learn chemistry hands on. By supporting Snatoms, you'll be funding the production of the best molecular modeling kit from start to finish. If you agree that this is an awesome educational tool that should exist in the world, help me kickstart it and tell your friends!
You all have BLOWN past our funding goal! I'm amazed and grateful. I've read your stretch goal suggestions and have taken your awesome ideas into consideration. Behold. Your stretch goals. Let's get that nitrogen!
Snatoms are an improvement over traditional ball and stick sets for three reasons:
- The model is more realistic (it doesn’t require sticks as bonds)
- It's quicker and easier to construct and break apart molecules
- You can feel the attraction between atoms
The H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) shows that single bonds rotate easily just as they do in nature, which is hard with ball and stick kits.
I have designed and built prototype Snatoms over the past two years. They will be made of high grade injection-molded plastic and contain super-strong spherical neodymium magnets.
As a teacher I have always wanted to convey some important concepts about atomic bonding. Snatoms allow me to do that like no other modeling kit. Here’s why:
- Bonds do NOT store energy! One of the most persistent misconceptions is that energy is stored in bonds. Atoms release energy when they bond - and this is why they stay stuck - you have to put in energy to separate them. No kit currently demonstrates this like Snatoms does.
- Bonds are the overlapping of electron orbitals. Previously it has not been possible to represent this in a realistic way (hence sticks representing bonds), but now we can. Snatoms provide a more realistic depiction of molecules.
As a teaching aid, Snatoms will make building molecules fast. As a teacher I know speed is everything. Models have to be ready to go and be manipulated on the fly. Snatoms make learning about atoms and molecules fun!
I'm Derek, the creator of Veritasium, a YouTube channel about science with over 3 million subscribers and 220 million views. I have hosted TV shows for PBS and the Australian ABC, plus I'm currently working on a show for Discovery International. My work has also been featured on the BBC, Discovery Channel and History 2. This project allows me to extend my passion for helping others understand out of the virtual world and make a tangible learning tool.
Are you a science teacher? An amazing app developer? Or a great graphic designer? You could help build the teaching guide, app, and games to go with Snatoms. I’d love to have your help so just email me at snatomskickstarter@gmail.com
Risks and challenges
The challenge is to create a high-quality, durable product. I have already invested countless hours developing and prototyping Snatoms and I think they are ready to go to the production stage. But your support is essential to helping me make Snatoms a reality. I will dedicate myself to ensuring this product meets my very high standards.
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Funding period
- (42 days)