In Chemistry and Chaos, students take on the role of a chemist and go on an epic quest to solve mysteries, fight monsters, explore new locations, and hopefully learn some chemistry. This is a role-playing game (RPG) similar to Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), but instead of using swords and magic to fight monsters, our heroes use chemistry.<br/>Chemistry and Chaos is designed such that the framework can be used for a variety of courses. For this initial trial, two different modules were created to be used as a review for the two semesters of an introductory chemistry course.<br/>To start a game, students are given sheets that describe different generic chemist roles. Each chemist has a backstory and unique abilities. For example, the analytical chemist is good at math, giving them a bonus to math-related problems. However, they are poor at other tasks. The instructor serves as a guide for the students. However, the students drive the story and are encouraged to find unique ways to overcome obstacles. In one module, the 'chemists' are trapped in a room. By exploring the room and asking questions, they realize that they could escape by balancing a series of chemical equations to get a code to unlock the door or use the specific heat of the iron to melt the doorknob. In the first trial, students determined the former but not the latter. The student-driven choice is at the center.

Chemistry & Chaos: An interactive role-playing game framework for learning chemistry

ACS Spring 2022

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