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Many chemistry instructors use games and puzzles to make learning chemistry more fun and interesting. Listed below are most of the published or marketed chemistry games. Games designed for outdated computers have been excluded from the list. The games were organized according to subject matter and then arranged alphabetically by title. A short description of each game is included. The addresses and URLs of suppliers and vendors are given at the end of the bibliography.
The SERAPHIM computer games whose catalog numbers start with PC are for an IBM-compatible personal computer and those with catalog numbers starting with MC are for an Apple Macintosh.
Introductory Chemistry
General Knowledge
1. Chem-Cubes. Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories Catalog (1998), p 563. There is an 8-game series that teaches the elements and a 9-game series that teaches the ions. The game teaches names, symbols, atomic structure, valences, and how to write balanced equations.
2. Chem Chex. Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories Catalog (1998), p 563. Board game: several games that include identifying and naming ions and compounds. It can also be used for writing and balancing chemical equations.
3. Chem Trak. Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories Catalog (1998), p 563. Wheel game: 5 games on element names, element symbols, ion names, ion symbols, compound formulas and reaction equations.
4. Chemical Jeopardy. Deavor, J. A. J. Chem. Educ. 1996, 73, 430. Overhead game: answers to questions are placed on a grid in suitable categories. Students give the correct questions for the answers. Answers can be made on the current topic being taught in the class and the game can be used at the end of a class period. The questions are hidden by Post-its until ready to be revealed.
5. Chemistry Games-Hangman. Dalton, E.; Newman, J.; SERAPHIM PC4604. Computer game: computer picks a chemical term and tells how many letters it contains. You try to guess letters and term before the man gets hanged.
6. Chemical Pursuit. Healy, J. W SERAPHIM PC4605. Computer game: "Chemistry Pursuit is an interactive learning game used to teach facts about general chemistry. The game can be played by one to six players." The game has a "database of 500 questions that can be modified or expanded to suit the particular teaching situation."
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