Got gumdrops? Then you can build models of molecules. These are tiny structures that make up just about all matter—including you! Molecules themselves are made of atoms, the basic building blocks of matter. Using just four kinds of atoms as building blocks, you can construct many different types of molecules. In this project, you will build models of some air or gas molecules called greenhouse gases.

You will need:
Gumdrops, any size, four different colors. These atoms are usually modeled using red for oxygen, white for hydrogen, gray for carbon, and blue for nitrogen. However, some of these colors are mighty hard to find in gumdrops. So use any colors you like. Here's how many you will need of each (but don't forget to get extras for sneaking into your mouth):
Red: 13, White: 7, Gray (or black): 3, Blue: 2
Round wooden toothpicks
Construction paper, 1 large sheet (12x18, for example)
Felt pen or crayons

Each molecule has a shorthand name, which also gives its recipe, or formula. For example, ozone is also called O3, where O stands for an oxygen atom and the little 3 means there are three of them. Below are the three greenhouse gas molecules, their formulas, and a picture of its gumdrop model. Just use the toothpicks to link the gumdrops together, and you will have a model of that molecule!