Science Kit Planner · Games
Molecular Masters
Free classroom rules · Printable starter
A chemistry card game for ages 8–18: draw elements, build compounds, obey reaction rules, and clear challenge cards—with Easy and Medium scaffolds for real classrooms.
What you can do today
This page is the playable design brief. Print the starter deck today; physical boxed kits are manufacturing specs—not an online store yet.
From Science Kit Planner—the free, NGSS-tagged kit planner and classroom resource hub at sciencekits.online.
What students practice
Critical thinking with symbols and rules—not trivia flashcards dressed up as a game.
Goal 1
Read atomic number, symbol, and name on element cards
Goal 2
Assemble compounds from element combinations
Goal 3
Follow reaction conditions and conserve atoms
Goal 4
Practice critical thinking under Easy / Medium scaffolds
How to play
2–4 (or small lab groups). About 20–30 minutes per round so a lab group can finish before the bell.
- Setup
- 5 element cards and 2 compound targets each. Printable starter cards (or full decks), one shared reaction card face-up, scratch paper for scores.
- Win
- First player to 12 points wins; or end when the draw pile runs out and highest score wins.
- 1
Deal
Start with elements + compounds
Deal each player 5 element cards and 2 compound target cards. Place the remaining elements as a draw pile, flip one reaction card face-up as the table rule, and set challenges aside.
- 2
Draw
Add an element each turn
On your turn, draw one element card. Decide whether to hold it, trade one card with a neighbor (optional house rule), or combine cards already in hand.
- 3
Combine
Match a compound card
Lay down the exact element set shown on a compound card. Easy mode offers formula prompts; medium mode expects players to reason from symbols.
- 4
React
Honor the reaction rules
If the face-up reaction card names reactants/products that apply, those atoms must match before the compound scores. Treat spark/flame conditions as teacher-demo context—not student actions.
- 5
Score
Valid compound earns points
Score 1 point per element card spent (e.g. H₂O = 3). Then draw one challenge card for a bonus attempt (+2 if completed). Discard spent elements; draw back up to 5.
Easy & Medium modes
Same decks—different guidance. Pick a mode for the group, or let tables choose independently.
Easy mode
Younger players & first chemistry units
Extra prompts on compound cards, picture cues, and guided Mystery Compound hints so students practice symbols without getting stuck.
Medium mode
Middle school and up
Fewer crutches: players invent combinations, sequence Reaction Rampage strategically, and justify atom counts aloud.
The decks
Element cards (108 full / simplified classroom subset), 50–70 compounds, 20–30 reactions, plus challenges. Start with the printable starter.
Simplified element deck
Classroom staples first—atomic number, symbol, name, and a one-line blurb. Colors hint at category.
- 1H
Hydrogen
Lightest element—fuels stars and many reactions.
- 2He
Helium
Noble gas; almost never bonds.
- 3Li
Lithium
Soft alkali metal; reacts with water.
- 4Be
Beryllium
Alkaline earth metal.
- 5B
Boron
Metalloid.
- 6C
Carbon
Basis of organic chemistry and life.
- 7N
Nitrogen
Most of the air we breathe.
- 8O
Oxygen
Supports combustion and respiration.
- 9F
Fluorine
Halogen.
- 10Ne
Neon
Noble gas.
- 11Na
Sodium
In table salt with chlorine.
- 12Mg
Magnesium
Lightweight metal in chlorophyll’s story.
- 13Al
Aluminum
Post-transition metal.
- 14Si
Silicon
Metalloid.
- 15P
Phosphorus
Nonmetal.
- 16S
Sulfur
Nonmetal.
- 17Cl
Chlorine
Greenish halogen; pairs with sodium.
- 18Ar
Argon
Noble gas.
- 19K
Potassium
Alkali metal.
- 20Ca
Calcium
Bones, shells, and chalk.
- 26Fe
Iron
Strong metal; rusts with oxygen.
- 29Cu
Copper
Conducts well; classic penny metal.
- 30Zn
Zinc
Transition metal.
Sample compound cards
Formula, required elements, and a real-world use.
Water
H₂ONeeds: H · H · O
Universal solvent; essential for life.
Carbon dioxide
CO₂Needs: C · O · O
Breathing out, photosynthesis in, fizzy drinks.
Table salt
NaClNeeds: Na · Cl
Seasoning and ionic-bond classic.
Methane
CH₄Needs: C · H · H · H · H
Simplest hydrocarbon; natural gas.
Ammonia
NH₃Needs: N · H · H · H
Fertilizer chemistry starter.
Rust (iron oxide)
Fe₂O₃Needs: Fe · Fe · O · O · O
Shows metals reacting with oxygen over time.
Sample reaction cards
Reactants, products, and the condition that makes the play legal.
Make water
2 H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O
Condition: Spark or flame (demo context only).
Conservation of atoms: same H and O counts on both sides.
Burn methane
CH₄ + 2 O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O
Condition: Combustion with oxygen present.
Carbon and hydrogen oxidize; products are familiar gases and water vapor.
Form salt
2 Na + Cl₂ → 2 NaCl
Condition: Controlled demo—sodium reacts vigorously.
Metal + halogen → ionic salt.
Photosynthesis sketch
6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
Condition: Light energy (plants).
Challenge-mode stretch: track atom counts carefully.
Challenge cards
After scoring a compound, draw a challenge for bonus points—and a louder moment of thinking aloud.
Mystery Compound
You get a set of element cards and must name or assemble the hidden compound.
- Easy:
- Hint cards list possible formulae and a picture cue.
- Medium:
- Fewer hints; mix in less obvious classroom compounds.
Reaction Rampage
Complete a short chain of reactions in the correct order for bonus points.
- Easy:
- Order is partially printed; missing steps are prompted.
- Medium:
- Players choose sequence from shuffled reaction cards—strategy matters.
Box contents & print notes
Specs for eventual physical production. For class tomorrow, use the free printable starter—not these manufacturing targets.
In the box (future kit)
- Molecular Masters game board
- Element cards (full deck + simplified classroom deck)
- Compound cards (common molecules with formulae and uses)
- Reaction cards (reactants, products, conditions)
- Challenge cards (Mystery Compound, Reaction Rampage)
- Rulebook with worked examples
- Organizer insert for classroom storage
Print & packaging targets
- Box
- Game box ≈ 12" × 9" × 2"
- Sleeves
- Card sleeves ≈ 3" × 4.5"
- Art
- 300 DPI print-ready art
- Stock
- 80–100 gsm cardstock, corner-rounded
- Compliance targets
- CE / RoHS / ISO 9001 manufacturing targets for physical kits
Common questions
- What ages is Molecular Masters for?
- Designed for students roughly 8–18. Easy mode scaffolds younger players; Medium mode stretches middle and high school groups.
- Can I use this with my class today?
- Yes. Print the free starter deck (about 20–30 minutes per round), or email for a classroom pilot. Full boxed kits are still manufacturing specs—not sold on this site yet.
- Do I need the full periodic table deck?
- No. The printable starter and simplified element deck focus on familiar classroom elements. The full 108-card set is optional for advanced play.
- Is this a digital game or a print kit?
- Print-and-play (and eventual physical kits). This site hosts rules, samples, and a browser-printable starter—there is no online multiplayer board.
- How does scoring work, and when does a round end?
- First player to 12 points wins; or end when the draw pile runs out and highest score wins. Valid compounds score 1 point per element card spent; completing a challenge adds +2.
- How do schools get physical kits later?
- Use the pilot email link when you want manufacturing updates or classroom feedback loops. We are not taking prepaid orders on this page.
Try it this week
Print the starter, run Easy mode once, then email if you want a classroom pilot or kit updates.