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Molecular Workbench
Concord, Massachusetts, USA
What it is
Molecular Workbench is a free modeling tool for creating and conducting computational experiments across science. Its interactive environment is designed to support science inquiry, while its authoring system lets instructional designers create and publish curriculum based on models and simulations. Users can adapt simulations or make new ones, with topics spanning gas laws, fluid mechanics, states of matter, chemical reactions, genetics, protein synthesis, and quantum phenomena. Activities can include embedded assessments, student-data collection, learning monitoring, and teacher feedback. Simulations can also be embedded in blogs, wikis, or web pages. The Next-Generation Molecular Workbench brings experiments to browsers using HTML5. An offline version is available, but it cannot reach the latest simulations or gather student data. Downloads support Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux and require Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or later. The maker notes that the software needs considerable computing power and can take time to launch while the Java virtual machine starts. The Concord Consortium develops and maintains the tool.
For and against
For
- Supports multiple science topics
- Users can customize or create simulations
- Activities can include assessments and student-data collection
- Simulations can be embedded in web pages
- An HTML5 browser edition is available
Against
- Offline version lacks the latest simulations
- Offline version cannot collect student data
- Requires Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or later
- May launch slowly and needs considerable computing power
The verdict
Molecular Workbench combines simulation authoring with inquiry activities and assessment options. Consider its computing requirements and the offline version’s limits when choosing how to use it.
Who it suits
Molecular Workbench may suit science educators and instructional designers who want to build or customize simulation-based learning materials. Its embedded assessments and student-data tools may also fit classroom activities that include teacher feedback.
Plans and prices
Molecular Workbench Free
Core software and learning materials · Java desktop and browser editions
Read 15 Oct 2026 · mw.concord.org
Molecular Workbench
Free and open-source
Read 29 Sep 2026 · mw.concord.org
On the record
- Analysis tools
- Built-in analysis includes speed and velocity distributions, graphing, snapshots and report export.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Assessment
- Activities can contain embedded assessments, collect student work and provide teacher feedback.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Assessments and student data
- Activities can include embedded assessments, monitor student learning, collect student data, and provide teacher feedback.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Authoring
- Teachers and instructional designers can create models, user interfaces, guided activities and curriculum modules.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser edition
- The next-generation edition uses HTML5 and JavaScript to make interactives available in modern browsers and on multiple device types.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser version
- The Next-Generation Molecular Workbench brings interactive computational experiments to web browsers using HTML5.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Content licence
- Concord-hosted materials use Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0, requiring attribution and permission for commercial use.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Content licensing
- The FAQ says Concord.org materials may be reused with attribution for noncommercial purposes, while commercial use requires permission from the Concord Consortium.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize or create simulations and curricula.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Developer source
- The classic Java source is available through Concord Consortium SVN and can be browsed online.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- An online user manual is available from the application and is intended to teach simulation and activity creation.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Embedding
- Simulations can run as applets embedded in blogs, wikis, or web pages.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- The Lab framework defines shareable, embeddable and authorable interactives in JSON and can connect models with probes and sensors.lab-framework.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation limitation
- The project documents Java Web Start failures caused by Java bugs, network settings and Apple updates, and offers mw.jar as a workaround.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Next-generation interactives can be shared or embedded in course sites, blogs, emails and learning-management systems.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Interactive widgets
- Authors can add sliders, buttons, graphs, text fields, multiple-choice items and script-driven controls.mw.concord.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Learning
- It provides an interactive learning environment that supports science inquiry.mw.concord.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Limit: internet dependence
- An Italian teacher resource explains that Java Web Start launches download data from the server and requires an internet connection for the online application.insegnantiduepuntozero.wordpress.com · read 15 Oct 2026
