Chemical Bonding Game – SCOPES-DF
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Lesson Details

Subjects *
Science
Age Ranges *
14-18,
Fab Tools *
3D Printer, Laser Cutter,
Author
Kristin Burrus

Author

Kristin Burrus
Kristin Burrus
K-12 teacher
I have been a teacher in Hamilton County Schools since 1998. Throughout my career have been a science teacher in 7th -12th grade and facilitated a K-12 VW eLab for two years. I started at STEM School in 2019 and… Read More

Summary

Driving Question: How can we, as game designers, create a playable board or computer (Chromebook) game that teaches players the properties, behavior, and structure of ionic and covalent compounds?

 

Games will include questions that force players to demonstrate understanding of ionic and covalent bonds, molecular geometry, polarity, and intermolecular forces. Submissions of physical games should include a gameboard and all necessary playing pieces. Computer games should be playable by peers and teachers. All submissions must include an instruction manual that details how to play and an answer key to all questions from the game.

What You'll Need

Laserable Materials

  • cardboard
  • panel foam
  • 3mm MDF sheets
  • 3mm acrylic sheets (various colors)
  • cardstock

3D Printing Materials

  • PLA filament (or other)
  • acrylic paints
  • brushes
  • sandpaper

 

Lesson Materials

Learning Objectives

LT4 – I can use criteria to write and name chemical formulas, identify and model the types of bonds in compounds, and prove how intermolecular forces impact bonding and properties of compounds.

 

LT5 – I can justify predictions of molecular polarity and geometry using electronegativity and Lewis electron-dot representations.

 

 

Reflection

The hardest part was scheduling and prepping the students for the chemistry information needed to complete the game. We spent 2.5 weeks covering the content before starting with the game design.

The Instructions

Fabrication Prep (6-8 days)

Day 1 - Kickoff event: play various games and evaluate the effectiveness and game elements in each one. Fill out the "Game Design Kickoff" organizer. Days 2 - 6 Complete the "Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet " with all content needed for game.

  • uncheckedPolar and non-polar compounds selected and included on Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet (LT4/5 Summative module in Canvas)
  • uncheckedAt least 2 Lewis Dot structures complete on Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet 
  • uncheckedFocus Group for Ionic Compounds
  • uncheckedWorkshop for Covalent and Lewis Structure
  • uncheckedAt least 1 representation of each IMF complete on Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet
  • uncheckedDipole-dipole
  • uncheckedLondon Dispersion Force
  • uncheckedHydrogen bondingunchecked
  • uncheckedAt least 2 VSEPR diagrams complete on Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet

 

Fabrication of Game (4 - 5 Days)

Design and Create all elements of game - board, pieces, playing cards, etc. Use the "Chemical Bonding Game Planning Sheet" Prototype game using cardboard and craft supplies before moving on the plywood and acrylic in the laser cutters.

Brainstorm game – choose a board game or computer game.

  • Will your game be based on current games available or be entirely original?
  • If based on existing games, how will you change the design to include original components, themes, or rules?

Choose themes for board and pieces.

Decide how players will “win”, score, points, and move around the board.

Make questions (with an answer key)

Write Instruction Manual

 

Prototype boards, first as a drawing on paper, then in CorelDraw or other software.

Laser-cut cardboard prototype before moving to MDF or Acrylic.

 

3D Print any small pieces and iterate as necessary.

 

**Culminating Event – Game Tournament. Games will be traded, tested, and evaluated.

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