Science is all about experiments and implementation, which makes it intriguing and a lot of fun. Subjects like chemistry are a favourite of many children and adults alike because there is always so much to explore and understand.
Back in the day, if we wanted to experiment, we had to go to the laboratory because lab equipment was expensive and not easily available. Things have changed with the onset of the Internet and today, we can get our hands on various kits and equipment that can help us understand concepts of chemistry with ease. One of the most interesting things in chemistry is the molecule. The molecular structure is an important lesson in school and we keep learning more about it as we go deeper into the subject.
Contents
Dalton Labs Molecular Model Kit
1. Molecular Model Kit with Molecular Modelling Kit
Obviously, the biggest feature of the kit is that it brings science to life. The hands-on experience is irreplaceable. Whether you are learning about cyclic compounds or VSEPR theory, this is the kit for you. You can also use it to understand physics and some of its concepts including orbitals, links, and bonds. Here are a few other features:
- There are quite a few variations of the kit. The 178-piece student edition is the most popular of all. The 178 pieces include a link remover, 23 carbon atoms, 20 Hydrogen atoms, 8 Oxygen atoms, and much more. All of them are depicted with the national color codes.
- The kit is not a software program in itself. It is a play kit. However, the manufacturers do give us a user guide and a 3D modeling software. This is excellent for STEM education and even though the kit says “student edition” teachers can use it while teaching at the high school and college level. From seventh grade to university level, all students can use this to learn science (biology, chemistry, and physics)
- The manufacturers claim that the entire kit is made with excellent material. When we used it, we felt the same. The pieces are sturdy and look really good. They are also quite durable.
- Another major feature of the Dalton Labs Molecular Model Kit is that it is portable. You can carry it around in the box it comes in. Making portability even easier is the fact that everything is color coded. So, piecing together is a piece of cake!
- The company offers a 100% money-back guarantee to back the model kit.
- The biggest complaint we had with this kit was that we didn’t have enough Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms to build whatever we wanted. So, it may not actually be a good idea to get this set if you want to build bigger molecules that require more atoms.
- A few others who used the set also complained of the size. They felt the atoms were too small for demonstration and they couldn’t hold interest for long. Also, the parts might be slightly difficult to handle for younger kids. Thus, we would not recommend this set for anyone under 8 years old.
- It has all the pieces needed to make a great learning and teaching kit. It is an amazing starting point, and it serves well even for intermediates. Also, it is quite reasonably priced.
2. Molecular Model Kit with Molecular Structure Building Software
The company makes amazing molecular model kits for students and teachers alike! They have separate sets for each need. The 496-piece set is extensive and made especially for teaching purposes. Let’s learn about its many features:
- The set is designed for advanced learning and has all the required models. Teachers can teach organic, functional, and inorganic chemistry with this kit.
- The fact that it has 496 pieces makes it a functional, helpful kit for basic learning as well. Thus, everyone from grade 7 to graduate level school will find it useful.
- The model comes with a detailed guide with 5 manuals to help you make 3D models.
- Assembly is easy as is the process of disabling because the kit also has a tool to help make the process easy.
- All the pieces are made out of durable materials for safety and reliability.
- The only downside that we could see is that the box has al 496 pieces mixed together. There is no divider to help you pick out atoms easily. This could make you spend time uselessly.
3. Dalton Labs Molecular Model Kit
If 178 pieces are not enough for you to build the chemistry models you have in mind, we bring you the 306-piece set from Dalton Labs. This one is an Advanced Biochemistry Student Edition, giving you many options to explore.
- It has multiple pieces to practice a wide range of chemistry concepts including empirical formula, VSEPR theory, cyclic compounds, and more.
- The software and user guide makes it easy for you to understand the usage and also to build 3D models.
- The company recommends the kit for anyone from grade 7 to university level.
- The kit comes with a case, which makes it quite portable and easy to carry.
- The kit can be described as an extension of the 178-piece kit, with more options and a lot more models to make without running out of atoms.
- We also noted that the pieces are quite easy to assemble and take apart, but they stay put once they are modelled.
Dalton Labs is an excellent brand that has numerous kits that make science fun and interesting. They are easy to use and very reliable. Depending on your need, we suggest you choose any of the options available.
Now, let’s have a look at the standard features, advantages, and disadvantages of the Dalton Labs kits.
The features
Apparently, the most prominent feature of the kit is that it brings science to life. The hands-on experience is irreplaceable. Whether you are learning about cyclic compounds or VSEPR theory, this is the kit for you. You can also use it to understand physics and some of its concepts including orbitals, links, and bonds. Here are a few other features:
- There are quite a few variations of the kit. The 178-piece student edition is the most popular of all. The 178 pieces include a link remover, 23 carbon atoms, 20 Hydrogen atoms, 8 Oxygen atoms, and much more. All of them are depicted with the national color codes.
- The kit is not a software program in itself. It is a play kit. However, the manufacturers do give us a user guide and a 3D modeling software. This is excellent for STEM education and even though the kit says “student edition” teachers can use it while teaching at the high school and college level. From seventh grade to university level, all students can use this to learn science (biology, chemistry, and physics)
- The manufacturers claim that the entire kit is made with excellent material. When we used it, we felt the same. The pieces are sturdy and look really good. They are also quite durable.
- Another significant feature of the Dalton Labs Molecular Model Kit is that it is portable. You can carry it around in the box it comes in. Making portability even more comfortable is the fact that everything is color coded. So piecing together is a piece of cake!
- The company offers a 100% money-back guarantee to back the model kit.
The cons
Now, let’s take a look at the not-so-good aspects of the Dalton Labs Molecular Model Kit. The biggest complaint we had was that we didn’t have enough Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms to build whatever we wanted. So, it may not actually be a good idea to get this set if you’re going to build bigger molecules that require more atoms.
A few others who used the set also complained of the size. They felt the atoms were too small for demonstration and they couldn’t hold interest for long. Also, the parts might be slightly difficult to handle for younger kids. Thus, we would not recommend this set for anyone under 8 years old.
Having said all this, it is important to note that the positives are too hard to ignore and the cons don’t really outweigh the pros.
Bottom-line
We will get straight to the point with this one. There is absolutely no denying that the Dalton Labs Molecular Kit is an excellent option for science enthusiasts. However, if you are very deep into the subject and are looking at building complex molecular models, this kit may fall short.
It has all the pieces needed to make a great learning and teaching kit. It is a fantastic starting point, and it serves well even for intermediates. Also, it is quite reasonably priced.
Our verdict
Four out of five stars for this excellent kit. It makes chemistry fun more than anything else, and that’s very important when it comes to learning. Also, you will simply love how much easier it becomes to grasp concepts.
We would say – grab it now!