Games, Games, Games; Playing to Engage with Chemistry Concepts

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 19 (2014) pp 167-170

Games, Games, Games; Playing to Engage with Chemistry Concepts

Michael J. Samide and Anne M. Wilson

Butler University, Department of Chemistry, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis IN 46208, 317-940-9405, msamide@butler.edu, amwilson@butler.edu
Received April 10, 2014. Accepted May 13, 2014.

Published: 6 June 2014

Abstract. Discipline-specific upper level chemistry courses are well known for being academically rigorous, but not necessarily considered fun by the students. Playing games in an upper-level course is often viewed as an “extra activity” and not as a valuable in-class exercise designed to demonstrate, reinforce, or review essential course materials. In this paper, we describe the implementation of academically challenging games that bridge the divide between academic rigor and intellectual fun for second-year college students.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; analytical chemistry; collaborative/cooperative learning; enrichment/review materials; humor/puzzles/games

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: msamide@butler.edu )

Article in PDF format (35 KB) HTML format

Supporting Materials:

One supporting file is available. Instructions for the Marble Game, Electrochemistry Review Game, Relationship Card Game, and Spectroscopy Detective games (451 KB).