Authors of original unit: Shawn Sendlinger

Partner Projects: Biology Student Workbench, The Institute for Chemistry Literacy and Computational Science, SHODOR Education Foundation, Computational Science Education Reference Desk

Grade Level: High school chemistry teachers

Subject Areas: Molecular Structure, Molecular Visualization, Molecular mechanics

ACD/ChemSketch and 3DViewer allows drawing of two-dimensional structures which can then be viewed and manipulated in three-dimensions. It can produce publication-quality graphics. Structures can be minimized using molecular mechanics based on CHARMM, and various molecular properties can be determined. A variety of biochemical templates are available for rapid structure generation.

Intened for high school chemistry teachers, who wish to use computational tools in the classroom. Also suitable for introducatory college chemistry. May also be used directly by students for self-study.

Web browser (preferably Firefox), Javascript-enabled and ACD/ChemSketch and 3DViewer. ACD/ChemSketch and 3DViewer is a free software to download.To find out which plugins are already installed on your mozilla/firefox browser, just type 'about:plugins' in address box. You can download each plug-in component from the links provided and you can test if your system support Javascript from here.

Exercise in creating visualizing and energy-minimizing molecules.

Introduction: background information on molecules and the properties of bonded atoms.

Part 1: Building molecules.

Part 2: Energy-minimizing structure..

Part 3: Suggested student activity.