My Molecularium

My Molecularium App Review

App Info

Price: Free In-App Purchases

Overview

My Molecularium is an arcade-style chemistry practice app that features shooting atoms to build molecules of various important chemicals, ranging from water all the way to adrenaline. Players will gain understanding of molecular bonds, chemical structures, and more while they hone their targeting skills and reflexes.

Features include:

  • Accurate three-dimensional molecular models
  • Chemical and structural formulas included
  • Option for competitive game play
  • Build over thirty molecules
  • Unlock levels and achievements

Quality

My Molecularium is an outstanding app designed for chemistry and biochemistry students. The game features outstanding three-dimensional graphics and gyroscopic targeting that allows players to shoot “above” and “below” the molecules as well as to the left or to the right. Developers provide a brief tutorial to assist players in mastering the basic moves required for play, including dragging to shoot atoms and tilting the device to aim at the targets. There are a few features that aren’t explained well, however, including the meaning of the rising temperature in degrees Celsius at the top of the screen or exactly how the boosters available for in-app purchase would be used.

Education

This app does an outstanding job of helping students understand how atoms join together to make molecules, and will provide good practice once basic concepts such as “bond” and “electron” are understood.  The challenge is to create the given molecule by shooting atoms at the starting atom and connecting the new atoms where they would bond in real life. Students are given a selection of atoms and will need to use the chemical structure information to decide which atoms to shoot in order to create the final molecule.

Once the molecule is completed, the computer character gives a number of facts about the substance, including its state, its uses, and other relevant information. Players have the option of taking a screenshot of their creation and sharing it, so teachers could see evidence of completion.

Entertainment

My Molecularium is highly entertaining and a lot of fun to play. It does require a high degree of coordination and skill, however, so players who do not have a lot of experience with similar games or who do not have good coordination may struggle with the mechanics of the game.  Developers may want to consider a “help” mode so those students could get the same educational benefit without the frustration of the aiming/shooting process.

Many players will appreciation the optional connection to the Game Center where they can compete with friends and classmates for high scores, as well as the capability to unlock achievements for good performance.

Value

This app is free on the App Store and it’s highly educational.  Best of all, it’s FUN! What’s not to like? Parents and teachers should be aware, however, that there are unprotected in-app purchase options to acquire various boosters and helps that would be advantageous in the game.

Child Friendliness

My Molecularium will be most interesting to middle and high school students. This app includes unprotected in-app purchases, so be sure you are clear to younger players about your policy on such things.

  • NO 3rd party ads
  • YES unprotected social media and Game Center
  • YES unprotected in-app purchase
My Molecularium
My Molecularium
My Molecularium is an entertaining and educational app designed to give high school students a healthy dose of gaming fun while they learn and practice chemistry concepts related to molecular structure, chemical formulas, and skeletal formulas. Optional competitive features and social media sharing for achievements make the app a must-see for chemistry students who are also gamers.
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.6