Alternatives to typical exam assessments such as structured chemical games and puzzles can be used in order to engender a deep understanding of the concepts beyond content knowledge in chemistry courses. As an evaluation tool for an upper division course, students studying metal toxicity were challenged with a murder mystery: Who killed Mr. Corpse? In order for a group to receive full credit in the activity, each character had to be identified as having been exposed to a different heavy metal around or before Mr. Corpse’s demise. Further games to stimulate an acknowledgement of characterization options for molecular interactions were applied.  Students had to name the method used when introduced to a spectrum of raw data, organize molecules into a square puzzle where each touching side represented a characterization technique that could be used for both the molecule on the left and that on the right, and work in teams to perform a series of equilibrium problem ICE tables to analyze and interpret the experimental titration data to determine which metal complex would be the most stable. These intermittent fun evaluations allowed for critical thinking that related directly to their current or future research skills.

Developing assessment games to test comprehension and application of chemical knowledge

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.