Organic Chemistry is widely known to present challenges and conceptual difficulties to its students. Due to these difficulties, students often resort to rote learning or memorization. As such, our team applied the principles of game-based learning to develop ChemPOV, an online multiplayer Organic Chemistry game. It is designed to reinforce concepts in the classrooms by way of MCQs and reaction schemes with chance and strategy elements included to increase student engagement. Furthermore, the remote nature of the game is pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic when virtual platforms are critical in students’ learning of Organic Chemistry. While ChemPOV was initially developed for freshmen at the National University of Singapore, we extended it to Grade 9 students from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science through the incorporation of Organic Chemistry content taught within the GCE ‘O’ Level syllabus into the game. We found that the attitudes and interest levels of students towards Organic Chemistry increased significantly after playing ChemPOV, with an overall interest in Organic Chemistry increasing from 0.35 to 0.63 after playing ChemPOV. Given the versatility of ChemPOV, we envision it to be extended to other age groups and fields of Chemistry.

Changing attitudes and interest levels towards organic chemistry in high-school learners via a digital board game

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

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