What the simulation does
A reactive metal atom meets a metal ion. Two glowing nuclei face each other: on the left a neutral atom (will be oxidised), on the right a positive ion (will be reduced), each labelled with symbol, name and role.
Act one. Pupils pick one of four reactions (Mg + Cu²⁺, Zn + Cu²⁺, Fe + Cu²⁺, Mg + Zn²⁺), predict if they wish, then press Transfer the electrons. Two amber electrons hop across the gap. As they land, the charge badges swap: the left gains 2+, the right loses its charge. Role banners light up (OXIDATION loses e⁻ in red, REDUCTION gains e⁻ in green) and the OIL RIG card lights the matching half.
Result card. Show the result builds the oxidation half equation, the reduction half equation and the overall redox equation, with a plain line: the atom lost electrons (OIL), the ion gained them (RIG), both at once.
Act two. A five-question OIL RIG quiz shows half equations one at a time, including 2Cl⁻ → Cl₂ + 2e⁻, and asks oxidation or reduction, with feedback and a score.
Full Adapt accessibility suite, aria-live narration, light projector default.
Recommended activity: “Follow the electrons” (40 min)
Model together (10 min). Run Mg + Cu²⁺ on the board. Vote on the predict card, watch the transfer, read the result aloud. Set two stems everyone reuses: “___ lost electrons, so it was oxidised.” / “___ gained electrons, so it was reduced.”
Pairs explore (15 min). Pairs work the other three reactions on a three-box sheet: which particle oxidised, which reduced, overall equation. One drives, one narrates with the stems. Adaptation: Supported pupils match pre-printed equations to labels; Independent pupils write half equations from scratch and check.
Independent check (10 min). Everyone does the built-in quiz. Then one exit question the sim does not answer: “In Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + Cu, name the particle oxidised and explain how you know.”
Maps to your three levels: Supported match, Guided complete the sheet, Independent write and explain unaided.