If we get a sixth grader who can explain the principles behind a laser or the difference between elements and isotopes, then we have succeeded. If they are someday motivated to learn there is more to it, that is even more wonderful. But if we start with the most complex ideas known to humans, then insist that they learn them in 42 minutes of lectures, we shouldn't be surprised when kids hate physics. Sorry for the philosophizing, but I think physics is fun , so long as we don't kill it by forgetting that we teach so kids can learn, not to prove what we know. The atom is constructed of electrons, protons, and neutrons.
Students quickly master the table of the elements.
The concepts of isotopes, radioactivity, and energy levels are intuitively built into the Game. Students add and subtract electrons, protons, and neutrons in several of the Games in their quest to score points by building stable atoms. The concepts of fusion and fission are easily illustrated. The Model has energy levels arranged like the first five rows of the Periodic table with S, P, and D orbitals, each with the correct number of electron states. From the simple precept that atoms like to have either full or empty levels it is easy to explain ionic and most covalent bonding.