Students will launch the project by investigating what familiar food and life-related materials are made of, build first-draft atom and molecule models, and use peer critique plus a short competency check to set expectations for accurate scientific modeling in later phases.

Students will investigate a puzzling carbon-based evidence set, refine an investigable question and hypothesis about atomic composition, and co-design a model-building method they can use in later phases to create accurate atom, molecule, and extended-structure models.

Students will build and verify evidence-based atom, molecule, and extended-structure models by tracking particle counts, naming substances, checking conservation of mass in modeled reactions, and using peer critique to revise for scientific accuracy and clarity.

Students will analyze evidence from their atom, molecule, and extended-structure models; compare stronger and weaker modeling choices; revise explanations through peer critique; and prepare a clear classroom showcase display that communicates accurate particle counts, molecule naming, and conservation of mass.

Students will present their completed Molecules of Life Museum model sets to an authentic audience, defend their scientific choices with evidence and precise vocabulary, respond to peer and visitor questions, and complete a brief evidence-based reflection on how feedback and revision improved their models.