Using Games to Teach Chemistry

7/23/2019 Using Games to Teach Chemistry

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Chemistry Everyday for Everyone

JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu Vol. 76 No. 4 April 1999 Journal of Chemical Education 481

Many chemistry instructors use games and puzzles tomake learning chemistry more fun and interesting. Listedbelow are most of the published or marketed chemistrygames. Games designed for outdated computers have beenexcluded from the list. The games were organized accordingto subject matter and then arranged alphabetically by title.A short description of each game is included. The addressesand URLs of suppliers and vendors are given at the end ofthe bibliography.

The SERAPHIM computer games whose catalog numbersstart with PC are for an IBM-compatible personal computerand those with catalog numbers starting with MC are for an

Apple Macintosh.

Introductory Chemistry

General Knowledge

1. Chem-Cubes. Science Ki t & Boreal LaboratoriesCatalog (1998), p 563. There is an 8-game series that teachesthe elements and a 9-game series that teaches the ions. Thegame teaches names, symbols, atomic structure, valences, andhow to write balanced equations.

2. Chem Chex. Science Ki t & Boreal LaboratoriesCatalog (1998), p 563. Board game: several games thatinclude identifying and naming ions and compounds. It can

also be used for writing and balancing chemical equations.3. Chem Trak. Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories Catalog

(1998), p 563. Wheel game: 5 games on element names,element symbols, ion names, ion symbols, compound formulasand reaction equations.

4.Chemical Jeopardy. Deavor, J. A. J. Chem. Educ.1996,73, 430. Overhead game:answers to questions are placed ona grid in suitable categories. Students give the correct questionsfor the answers. Answers can be made on the current topicbeing taught in the class and the game can be used at theend of a class period. The questions are hidden by Post-itsuntil ready to be revealed.

5.Chemistry GamesHangman. Dalton, E.; Newman, J.;

SERAPHIM PC4604. Computer game: computer picks achemical term and tells how many letters it contains. Youtry to guess letters and term before the man gets hanged.

6.Chemical Pursui t. Healy, J. W. SERAPHIM PC4605.Computer game: Chemistry Pursuit is an interactive learn-ing game used to teach facts about general chemistry. Thegame can be played by one to six players. The game has adatabase of 500 questions that can be modified or expandedto suit the part icular teaching situation.

7. ElementO. San-Deb-Bar-Nan-Ric-Way Corp.:Wilmington, DE 19810; Science Kit & Boreal LaboratoriesCatalog, p 564. Board game: chemistry Monopoly, makesstudents aware of elements and chemical terms but requiresno chemistry knowledge.

8.EloosisA Card Game Which Demonstrates the Scientifi cMethod. Elking, E. J. Chem. Educ.1974,51, 532. Card game:the leader knows the rule dictating which cards can be played.The players lay down cards and the leader indicates whetherthe play is acceptable. Players try to figure out rule so theycan discard their cards.

9. FactGAME. Ramette, R. W. JCE Software, 10B, 1.Computer game: the computer asks a question, one playeranswers it. Then the computer will give the answer and thesecond player will judge whether the first player answeredcorrectly. The questions are correlated with The ChemicalWorld, a textbook published by Saunders.

10. A Game for Review. Paslawsky, J. J. Chem. Educ.1976,53, 780. Chemistry bowl game: team game played withtoss-up questions and bonus questions. Incorrect answers allowthe other team to try; incorrect answers on the bonus questionsmean the question is discarded. Timekeepers, scorekeepers, and

judges are needed besides the two teams of three students.11. Laboratory Pursui t. Hussey, S. Flinn Chemical & Bio-

logical Catalog (1998), p 431. Board game:students movearound a board decorated with laboratory apparatus by an-swering questions about elements names and symbols, ionsnames and symbols, or reactions. Includes safety situationsfor which players can be penalized or rewarded.

12. Periodic Table Games. Martin, J. S. JCE Software,10B, 1. Computer game: the student is given either a name(Nomenclature Game) or a series of question marks (FormulaGame), and after a guess by clicking on an element in theperiodic table the computer gives a hint in the form of in-formation about the correct element. Individual scores arekept and top scorers can be displayed. Students can play thecomputer or each other.

13. The Ti le Game. Banks, R. C.Chem. Educator1996,1(2):S1430-4171(96)02021-3. Dominoes game: the use ofdomino-shaped pieces to teach dimensional analysis, startingwith domino spots and moving into metric conversions,molarity, and stoichiometry games.

Elements & Atomic Structure (Not Symbols)

1. Chem Bingo. Science Ki t & Boreal LaboratoriesCatalog (1998), p 563. Board game: Bingo cards (5 5) withthe symbols are provided. There are element cards, ion cards,and two call lists. The first person with five covered symbolsin a row wins the game.

2. Chemistry Checkers. Orl ik, Y. G.; Glyakov, P. V.;Varova, R. M.; SERAPHIM PC4606. Computer game:this program is a checkers game intended for mastering thechemical properties of the main classes of inorganic compounds,metals, acids, bases, and salts.

3.Chemical Elements Bingo. Teyada, S.; Palacios, J.J. Chem.Educ.1995,72, 1115. Board game: the periodic table is given,and there are cards with the Bohr atom type of pictures of

the elements on the front and the elements properties on

Using Games To Teach Chemistry

An Annotated Bibliography

Jeanne V. Russell

Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 4901 E. University Blvd., Odessa, TX 79762


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482 Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 76 No. 4 April 1999 JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu

the back. The object is to see how many cards the studentscan place on the board in a certain time. This game shouldhelp students see the relationship between number of valenceelectrons and the periodic table.

4.The Electr on Game. Wiseman, F. L. Jr. J. Chem. Educ.1978, 55, 325. Courtyard game: the courtyard is outlinedlike the 1s, 2s, and 2p orbitals. Students must place 10 players(electrons) into the court following the aufbau rules.

5. The Great Periodic Table Race. Science Ki t & BorealLaboratories Catalog (1998), p 563. Board game: the boardis a periodic table and students move around the board tolearn the arrangement of the elements in the table.

6.Odd Man Out. Armitage, G. M. J. Chem. Educ.1979,56, 609. Classroom game:students have a list of elements anda list of properties. They must match elements and properties,two elements to each property with one left over.

7. Chemistry GamesOrder the Element. Dalton, E.;Newman, J.; SERAPHIM PC4604. Computer game: Studentmust order the elements on the basis of periodic trends. Aperiodic table is available along with a hint.

8. Quantum Quest. Klawiter, M. Science Kit & Boreal

Laboratories Catalog (1998), p 564. Board game: Teachesstudents quantum numbers, Pauli exclusion principle, andHunds rule in placing electrons into orbitals.

Nomenclature, Formulas, & Equation Writing

1. Balancing Game. Schmitt, H. J. Chem. Educ.1976,53, 172. Chalkboard game: class is divided into two teams.Two unbalanced equations of the same difficulty are writtenon the board. One student from each team comes to theboard and may write one coefficient or erase one mistake.Then the next student comes. No interaction is allowedamong the team members. The first team to indicate theirequation is balanced and is correct wins the round.

2. Chemantics. Sawyer, A. K. J Chem. Educ. 1976,53,

780. Card game:element symbols, subscripts, and parenthesesare given on cards and students make compounds from thecards. For instance, Ca ( O H ) 2takes six cards. The gameis played like rummy. The score is based on the number ofatoms in the compound.

3.Chemical Bingo. Caldwell, W. E. J. Chem. Educ. 1935,12, 393. Board game: the student gets a 3 5-inch Bingocard with five rows and five columns of compound formulas.The names of the compounds are drawn from a bowl andread. Students use markers to cover the correct formula. Fivemarkers in a row wins the game.

4.Chemical Dice. Caldwell, W. E. J. Chem. Educ. 1935,12, 393. Dice game: this game is mentioned briefly in the

article. It is played with chemical dice, and element symbolson the dice are used to make molecules.

5. CHeMoVEr. Russell, J. V. J. Chem. Educ.1999,76,487. Board game: students must answer a chemistry questioncorrectly in order to move their piece around the board.Several sets of cards are available: element symbols, polyatomicions, inorganic nomenclature, equations (types & balancing),and predicting products.

6. Hungry Frog Chemistr y, Chemistr y I: Ion Charges &Formulae. Science Education Software, Inc. Computer game:teaches the charges and formulas of all of the common ions,especially those that you select. Has feedback to repeat thoseyou miss. Designed for grades 612 on a Macintosh computer.

7. Hungry Frog Chemistry, Chemistr y II I : Peri odic Table:

Element Names & Symbols. Science Education Software, Inc.Computer game: teaches the symbols of all the elements ofthe periodic table. Has a feedback to repeat those you miss.Designed for grades 512 on a Macintosh computer.

8. Hungry Frog Chemistr y, Chemistr y IV : BalancingEquati ons by Inspection. Science Education Software, Inc.Computer game: teaches the art of balancing equations byinspection. Designed for grades 712 on a Macintosh computer.

9. Hungry Frog Chemistry, Chemistr y V: Equations Coeffi-cients and Subscripts. Science Education Software, Inc. Computergame: students determine coefficients or subscripts in simpleequations. Designed for grades 712 on a Macintosh computer.

10. Ion Chemchips. Science Ki t & Boreal LaboratoriesCatalog (1998), p 564. Jigsaw puzzle game: each ion hasnotches corresponding to its valence to help the students writecorrect formulas and balance equations.

11.Molecular Madness. Schmitt, H . J. Chem. Educ. 1976,53, 172. Courtyard game: each student selects an atom (poly-styrene ball) and must identify the atom on the basis of sizeand number of valence electrons (black beads). The goal isfor the student to participate in the formation of as many

molecules as possible in the time given.12. Molecular Str ucture Game. Science Ki t & BorealLaboratories Catalog (1998), p 564. Board game: a compoundis given and the students must collect the elements to makethat compound on the board. The first player to have theelements and place them properly on the board wins.

13. Names & Symbols of Elements. Smith, S. G.; Chabay,R. J. Chem. Educ.1977,54, 688689. Plato computer game:students challenge each other. The first student gives thesymbol or name of an element and the second must give thecorresponding name or symbol. Then the second studentquizzes the first about the element.

14.Old Prof. Granath, P. L.; Russell, J. V. J. Chem. Educ.1999,76, 485. Card game: Old Maidtype of game in whichthe cards are either symbols, polyatomic ions, or inorganicnomenclature. Students must ask for cards by their symboland must name the element, polytatomic ion, or compoundbefore they can lay down a like pair of cards.

15. Practi ce wi th Chemical Symbols, Formul as, andEquations. Allen, T. J.; Fetcher Senior High School, Nep-tune Beach, FL 32266. SERAPHIM PC2202. Computergame: Provides the high school and general chemistry studentwith practice in writing chemical formulas, naming compounds,and writing net ionic equations. A chemical crossword puzzleis also included.

Chemical Reactions

1. Chemaze. Smith, S.; Chabay, R. Falcon software.Computer game: Pac-man type of game where it is necessaryto know common reactions, especially those found in thequalitative analysis scheme and acidbase reactions.

2. Chemical Dominos. Freund, H. R. Freund Publishing.Computer game: A fascinating game to quickly teach reac-tions and reaction products. Two levels are available; thebeginners level is color coded.

3. Chemi cal D ungeons. Estell , J. K. SERAPHIMPC4603. Computer game: A chemical adventure game thatdepends on knowledge of reactions and demonstrationscommon in general chemistry courses. In addition to figuringout chemical solutions to the situations presented, students

are quizzed by a roving professor.


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JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu Vol. 76 No. 4 April 1999 Journal of Chemical Education 483

4. Chemistr y GamesAnimal. Dalton, E.; Newman, J.SERAPHIM PC4604. Computer game: the game is a take-off on the party game called Animal, but chemicals are usedinstead of animals. Student gives a chemical and a property.The program then asks for another chemical and a propertythat distinguishes it from the first one. The next must be dis-tinguishable from the first two, etc.

Solutions & Solubilities

1. ABS Game. Olney, D. SERAPHIM PC4604 andMC501. Computer game: Simulated card game in whichchemical facts can be uncovered by choosing pairs of numberedcards whose numbers add to seven.

2.Concentration Quiz. Olney, D. SERAPHIM PC2501and MC501. Computer game: User is given informationabout 4 solution concentrations (in various forms). User mustrank them in decreasing order as directed. After inputtingranking, user is shown correct ranking and relevant valuesneeded to make comparisons.

3. Precipitation Game. Mothershed, C.; Rifkind, D.;SERAPHIM PC3401. Computer game: Game in which youare given five cations and ten anions. Objective is to formprecipitates and get rid of all of your cations.

Other Subjects

1.Gas Laws: Dalton. Bendall, V.; Powell, H. SERAPHIMPC2602. Computer game: Students add gas to a closed con-tainer with a blowout valve that requires a specified pressure.Can be a game (most points for closest to blowout pressure) oran experimental simulation. Requires ideal-gas calculations.

2. Chemical Equil ibrium: Equil Ti c-Tac-Toe. Olney, D.SERAPHIM PC2901. Computer game: Tic-tac-toe gamein which questions about aqueous equilibria must be an-swered correctly in order to occupy a square.

Organic Chemistry1. Aliphati c Organi c Synthesis Game. Smith, S. G.;

Chabay, R. J. Chem. Educ. 1977,54, 688689. Plato com-puter game: A student must successfully complete a seriesof multistep organic syntheses in order to progress from thestarting point to the endpoint of the game board.

2.The Aromatic Substi tuti on Game. Zanger, M.; Gennaro,A. R.; McKee, J. R.; J. Chem. Educ.1993,70, 985. Classroomgame:students must start with benzene and synthesize a givenaromatic compound using a multistep synthesis. They can startwith tables, charts, and hints, which can be removed later.

3.ChemAction. Borg-Warner Chemicals: Parksburg, WV.Board game: Scrabble-type game in which tiles are used to

build organic molecules.4. Chemical Bank. James, H . J. Chem. Educ.1929,6,

17901792. Classroom game: atoms with hooks are usedto build molecules that can be synthesized directly from itselements or from inorganic compounds by a definitely knownreaction.

5. Chem Rain. Smith, S.; Chabey, R. Falcon Software.Computer game: based on the reactions of organic compounds.

6.Chemsyn-Chemical Card Game 1. Eglinton, G; Maxwell,J. R. Educ. Chem.1971,8, 142. Card game: cards have amolecular structure (in several model types) on the front andchemical information including preparations and syntheseson the back of the card. The cards are laid on the table, each

card next to another from which it can be converted or towhich it can be converted. The winner is the person whocan first lay down all his cards.

7. Coin Game Based on the Hexoses. Chen, P. S.; Smith, R.J. Chem. Educ. 1944,21,74. Coin game: uses 8 pennies, eachwith a different date. One player determines the penny selectedby another player using knowledge of the eight hexoses.

8. Design-a-Drug. M eisenheimer, J. L.; SERAPHIM

PC4604. Computer game: the player is to design a tranquilizerfrom molecular fragments that are displayed.

9. Electr ophilic Aromatic Substi tuti on Game. Smith, S.;Smith, S. G.; Chabay, R. J. Chem. Educ. 1977,54, 688689.Plato computer game:one player gives a compound that asecond player must synthesize. The compound must be abenzene derivative with no more than two substituents instated locations.

10. The Game of the Names. Goldsmith, R. H. J. Chem.Educ.1971,48, 463. Party game: name of prominent organicchemist is put on players back. By asking yes or no questions,the player is to determine the name.

11. Hungry Frog Chemistr y, Chemistr y II : Organic

Chemistry: Quali tative Analysis. Science Education Software,Inc. Computer game: teaches the reagents to use on thedifferent functional groups for qualitative analysis. Has afeedback to repeat those you miss. Designed for grades 1012on a Macintosh computer.

12. Organic Chemistry Squares. Schreck, J. O. J. Chem.Educ.1992,69, 233. Chalkboard game: takeoff onHollywoodSquares (tic-tac-toe). A question is asked of the studentdesignated for that spot. The tic-tac-toe grid is drawn on theboard with the names of students in each spot. The leadstudent decides which player will get the question.

13. Infrared-Spectroscopy Checkers. Pendarvis, R. Chem.Educator1998,3(2):S1430-4171(98)04234-3. A checkersgame in which students must interpret the spectrum associatedwith the square to which they are trying to move. The amountof interpretation can be varied according to the level of thestudents playing the game. They might be required to identifyonly one functional group or give up to the full identificationof the compound.

14. Organocards-Chemical Card Game 2. Kristol, D.;Perimutter, H. D. Educ. Chem.1971,8, 145. Card game:the deck contains both functional group cards and reagentcards. The cards can be laid down in a reaction with a func-tional group card(s) of the reactants followed by a reagentcard followed by functional group card(s) of the product. Thewinner is the person who can first lay down all his or her cards.

15. Organocards-Chemical Card Game 3. Kristol, D.;

Perimutter, H. D. Educ. Chem.1971,8, 145. Card game:the deck contains ring compounds and reagent cards. Thering cards have zero, one, two, three, or four substituentsmarked by a circle. Student are to lay down their cards tochange one ring compound into another and must specifywhat substitution the circle represents. The winner is the per-son who can first lay down all his or her cards.

16. The Stereochem Game: M aking Chemistry More Fun.Parrill, A. L.; Gervay, J. Chem. Educator1996, 1(5):S1430-4171(96)05060-1. WWW game: gives a structure and thestudent must assignRor Sdesignation. H ints can be boughtand a running score is kept.

17.Whats My Pepti de?Lemley, P. V. J. Chem. Educ. 1989,


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484 Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 76 No. 4 April 1999 JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu

66, 1011. Questions & answer game: three groups are formedand each group develops an octapeptide. The other groupstry to determine the sequence of the octapeptide by askingquestions about cleavage and hydrolysis experiments. Pointsare subtracted for questions and awarded for correct sequenc-ing. Game continues until all three octapeptides are correctlysequenced.

Other Chemistry Games

1. An Exciti ng Approach to Student Learning in AnalyticalChemistry: Its Jeopardy. Mabrouk, P. A. Chem. Educator1996,1(5):S1430-4171(96)03037-3.Bulletin board game: answersare displayed under categories, with the point values increasingas you go down a category. The game can be played in teamswith the teams working together. There are categories such asstatistics, spectroscopy, gravimetry, acidbase, redox, separations,true or false (must correct false statements), and real world.

2.CodonThe DNA Game. Flinn Chemical & BiologicalCatalog Reference Manual 1998, p 550. Board game: has aBingo type of card that student uses to make five proteins.They get the codon from the special dice; they must identifythe encoded amino acid and decide if they need that aminoacid in one of their protein sequences.

3. Nucleogenesis!A Game with Natural Rules for Teach-ing Nuclear Synthesis and Decay. Olbris, D. J.; Herzfeld, J. J.Chem. Educ. 1999,76, 349. Board game:All students startwith their pin on hydrogen of an isotope table. From the rollof the dice they are allowed to make certain moves up theboard: hydrogen fusion, neutron fusion, helium fusion, orbombardment (a table of bombardment products is includedwith the game). The first student to obtain an isotope of sil-ver wins the game.

4. Want To Go on a Mole Hunt?Russell, J. V. Chem.Educator1998,3(2):S1430-4171(98)02199-8. Party game:

a scavenger hunt type of game in which students must go tosix stations and answer queries. Either the question or theanswer contains the word mole or the abbreviation mol.Many of the questions deal with chemistry and science; how-ever, it does include questions about geography, vocabulary,objects, and people who meet this criterion.

5.Xtal-line. Al lsobrook, A. Jr; Brown, M . E.; Gasser, L.J. Chem. Educ. 1973,50, 688. Board game:uses a 3-dimen-

sional 4 4 tic-tac-toe grid; 4 tokens in a line wins. There areways to play the game with different definitions of 4 tokensina line, such as adding rotation to form screws. Helps studentswith space concepts that are useful in crystallography.

Suppliers and Vendors

The Chemical Educator; Springer: New York, http://journals.springer-ny.com/.

Falcon Software, Inc., P.O. Box 200, Wentworth, NH 03282.Phone: 603/764-5788.http://www.falconsoftware.com/.

Flinn Scientif ic Inc.; Chemical & Biological Catalog ReferenceManual 1998; P.O. Box 219, Batavia, IL 60510; phone: 800/452-1261; email: fl [email protected].

Freund Publishing House, LTD, Suite 500, Chesham House, 150Regent Street, London W1R5FA England or P.O. Box 35010,Tel-Aviv, Israel.

JCE: Software; Department of Chemistry, University of Wiscon-sin-M adison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706-1396.Phone 800/991-5534; http://www.jchemed.wisc.edu/JCESoft/index.html.

SERAPHIM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department ofChemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1396.http: //i ce.chem.w isc.edu/seraphim, to download the catalog.

Science Education Software Inc., P.O. Box 60790, Palo Alto, CA94306; http://www.hungryfrog.com/.

Science Ki t & Boreal Laboratories, 777 East Park Drive, Tonawanda,NY 14150-6782. 800-828-7777;htt p://scienceki t.com/.

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Using Games to Teach Chemistry