A great fit if they…
Always want to know what things are made of and love seeing how one thing turns into another.
Science, Nature & Space · Chemistry
Chemistry Explorers: Atoms, Molecules & Amazing Reactions
for Ages 6 to 9
For kids who always ask what things are made of. They build atoms and molecules, poke at oobleck and watch real reactions with Mr. Mark.
- Ages
- 6 to 9
- Class size
- 6–8 max
- Format
- Live online · 21 weeks
- Mentor
- Mr. Mark
Show me available times
From $39.71 /week
Course details
Course Overview
Young Scholars Academy's Chemistry Explorers: Atoms, Molecules & Amazing Reactions is a live online science class for young scientists ages 6 to 9 who always want to know what things are made of. With Mr. Mark, kids build atom models, meet the periodic table, put molecules together on screen and learn to spot the clues that a chemical reaction happened. Mr. Mark keeps the big ideas kid-sized, and no materials are needed.
Zooming in on what things are made of
Each week the class zooms in on atoms, molecules and the reactions that turn one thing into another. Kids use models, on-screen building and live demonstrations to see ideas that are too small to see with their eyes. It's real chemistry, sized for six- to nine-year-olds.
Big ideas, kid-sized
Mr. Mark flexes the content for younger kids. He keeps every topic concrete: an atom becomes a model they build, a formula like H₂O becomes a molecule they put together on screen. Kids learn the real words and what they mean.
Strange stuff and live demos
Kids find out why oobleck acts like a solid one second and a liquid the next. They learn about acids and bases, mixtures and how to separate them. Live demonstrations show what a reaction looks like as it happens.
Ending with a big demonstration
The semester ends with a live chemistry demonstration where students spot the evidence that a reaction happened. By then they know what clues to look for and can explain what they see.
Ages 6 to 9 · Prerequisites · Who it's for
Is this the right class for my kid?
New students
Everyone starts together with Unit 1: Atoms and Elements, building their first atom model.
Returning students
Chemistry Explorers is a new course, so returning YSA students start Unit 1 alongside everyone else.
Learning outcomes
What will my kid learn this semester?
Build an atom
Build a model of an atom and name its parts.
Read the periodic table
Find elements on the periodic table by symbol and number.
Build molecules
Build simple molecules like water and carbon dioxide.
Spot a reaction
Point out the clues that a chemical change happened.
What's covered
Unit 1
Atoms and Elements (weeks 1-4)
Students build atom models and meet the periodic table.
- Electrons and atomic structure
- Elements and the periodic table
- Counting protons, neutrons and electrons
- Outer electrons and why some elements react
Unit 2
Building Molecules (weeks 5-11)
Students build molecules on screen and see how atoms connect.
- Reading chemical formulas like H₂O and CO₂
- Building molecules
- Ions: when atoms gain or lose electrons
- Ionic, covalent and metallic bonds
- Single, double and triple bonds
- Molecule shapes and the chemistry of water
Unit 3
Matter and Mixtures (weeks 16-18)
Solids, liquids, gases, plasma, and why oobleck is so strange.
- States of matter and unusual materials (oobleck)
- Acids, bases and the pH scale
- Mixtures, solutions and separating them (filtering, evaporating, chromatography)
Unit 4
Reactions and Demonstrations (weeks 12-13, 19-21)
Students learn to spot the clues that a reaction happened, ending with a live demonstration day.
- Balancing equations with visual models
- Types of chemical reactions
- Reaction speed and energy
- Rust, batteries and burning (oxidation)
- Live chemistry demonstration and review
Week-by-week plan
Week by week
Each week zooms in on one idea, with models, on-screen building and live demonstrations.
Week 1Electrons and Atomic Structure
Meet protons, neutrons and electrons, and build a first atom model.
Week 2Elements and the Periodic Table
See how the periodic table is organized and find elements by symbol and number.
Week 3What's Inside an Atom
Use models to compare what's inside different atoms, and find out why two atoms of the same element can weigh different amounts.
Week 4Outer Electrons and Reactivity
See how an atom's outer electrons decide which atoms like to join up with others.
Week 5Reading Chemical Formulas
Find out what H₂O and CO₂ mean and which atoms are in each.
Week 6Building Molecules
Put atoms together into molecules on screen.
Week 7Ions: When Atoms Gain or Lose Electrons
Find out what happens when an atom gains or loses an electron.
Week 8Ionic, Covalent and Metallic Bonds
Compare the ways atoms hold on to each other in salt, molecules and metals.
Week 9Electron Tug of War
See how some atoms pull harder on the electrons they share.
Week 10Single, Double and Triple Bonds
Build models where atoms share one, two or three pairs of electrons.
Week 11Molecule Shapes and Water
See how a molecule's shape changes how it acts, and why water is so good at dissolving things.
Week 12Atoms Don't Disappear
Use picture models to see that the same atoms are there before and after a reaction.
Week 13Types of Chemical Reactions
Sort reactions that build up, break apart, swap partners or burn, and look for clues that a change happened.
Week 14How Chemists Count Tiny Things
Find out how chemists keep track of atoms that are far too small, and far too many, to count one by one.
Week 15Reactions Are Like Recipes
See how the ingredients a reaction starts with decide how much it can make.
Week 16States of Matter and Unusual Materials
Compare solids, liquids, gases and plasma, and find out why oobleck acts like a solid one second and a liquid the next.
Week 17Acids, Bases and the pH Scale
Explore acids and bases, see how indicators show them, and watch what happens when they cancel each other out.
Week 18Mixtures, Solutions and Separation
See how filtering, evaporating and chromatography pull mixtures apart.
Week 19Reaction Speed and Energy
Find out what makes reactions go faster or slower, and why some give off energy while others take it in.
Week 20Rust, Batteries and Burning
See how electrons moving from one atom to another explain rust, batteries and fire.
Week 21Live Chemistry Demonstration and Review
Watch live demonstrations and point out the evidence that a reaction happened.
Growth · Progress reports
You'll see the growth every week
What you'll notice at home
Your child explains why oobleck acts like a solid one second and a liquid the next, using words like atom and molecule.
What changes on the inside
Big, invisible ideas start to make sense to them, and they know how to look for evidence of what's happening.
A write-up every week
A short report from Mr. Mark about your child's actual work: what they made, where they shined, what's next.
Materials Needed
- No materials needed.
You'll get this list by email when you enroll, then 1 week, 3 days and 1 day before class starts.
Getting started
What happens after you enroll
1. Your welcome email
Zoom link, Google Classroom link and an add-to-calendar button in one place. Forward it to your child: Young Scholars Academy can't email students directly.
2. Google Classroom
Syllabus, the weekly Zoom link and a way to message Mr. Mark.
3. Every week
A short progress report from Mr. Mark about your child's actual work.
Spring 2027 · Schedule · Tuition
At a glance
Key facts
- Provider
- Young Scholars Academy (WASC-accredited virtual school for gifted or 2e students, ages 5-18)
- Course
- Chemistry Explorers: Atoms, Molecules & Amazing Reactions
- Mentor
- Mr. Mark
- Ages
- 6-9
- Format
- Live online small-group class on Zoom, 6 to 8 students max per class (average class: 5 students)
- Class length
- 45 minutes, once a week
- Term
- Spring 2027, January 4 to May 28, 2027 (21 weeks)
- Category
- Science, Nature & Space
- Credit option
- No: enrichment only
Spring 2027 sections
| Section | Ages | Day | Time (PT / ET) | Weeks | First class | Mentor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Explorers (45 min) (NEW!) - Mr. Mark - Ages 6-9 - M @ 9 PT | 6-9 | Monday | 9:00-9:45 AM PT / 12:00-12:45 PM ET | 21 | January 4, 2027 | Mr. Mark |
All times Pacific, with Eastern alongside.
Tuition (Spring 2027)
- Flex Payment Plan $41.80/week ($877.80 total); Pay Up Front (Save 5%) $39.71/week ($833.91 total).
- New Year All-Access Pass (covers 21-week spring classes; pay in full): Bronze $2,797 (4 live courses + Friendship Social Club), Silver $3,597 (5 live courses + 1 free bonus course), Gold $5,797 (8 live courses + 2 free bonus courses). Class switches allowed during the first month (January 4 to February 3, 2027).
- Guarantee: Try It From The Inside. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Not in love? Switch courses (equal or lesser value) or take a credit. Payment plans can also stop future payments after 30 days. Attendance required.
How to enroll
- Course page and enrollment: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/courses/chemistry-explorers
- Free Spring Open House: November 11, 2026, 5 PM PT. RSVP: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/spring-open-house
- Questions: support@youngscholarsacademy.org
Meet Your Mentor
Mr. Mark
Mentor
Science Educator & Neurodivergent Advocate
- Neurodivergent advocate
- Growth mindset specialist
- Science
- STEM
Chemistry Explorers: Atoms, Molecules & Amazing Reactions FAQ
Questions parents ask about Chemistry Explorers: Atoms, Molecules & Amazing Reactions
Isn't chemistry too advanced for a six-year-old?
Mr. Mark keeps the big ideas kid-sized. Young Scholars Academy's Chemistry Explorers uses models, on-screen building and live demonstrations so kids can see ideas that are too small to see with their eyes.
Do we need a chemistry set or supplies?
No. No materials are needed. Mr. Mark runs the demonstrations live on camera.
What happens in a typical class?
The class zooms in on one idea, like atoms, molecules, states of matter or reactions, and kids build models, put molecules together on screen or watch a live demonstration.
How does the semester end?
With a live chemistry demonstration where students spot the evidence that a reaction happened.
Try It From The Inside Satisfaction Guarantee
The Young Scholars Academy Promise
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
Pay In Full Option
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
Payment Plan Option
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
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About Young Scholars Academy
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSATheir best year starts here.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
