A brief overview of the Alchemie game suite.

1. We make the theoretical touchable, intuitive, and fun

2. 2
The problem
A roadblock, a dream-killer
To students, organic
chemistry is a critical piece
needed to move into future
careers

3. 3
Yet, the fail rate tops 40%
It gave me
nightmares
It was like a
different
language
I switched
majors;
it was too hard
I was pre-med
for just a year
Student stories
Videos at chai.rs

4. 4
The solution: Alchemie Games
A tactile way to learn chemistry
Launched fall 2014
Adopted widely in curricula
Spans entire curriculum
Adaptive, analytic backend
Multi-player puzzle game
Three-dimensional interactive
“These games will make the difference between passing the course or failing and
having to make a new career plan.” Jenn Stockdill, Wayne State University
Link to animation

5. 5
Chairs! A proof-of-concept
Cyclohexane, as puzzles
Simple, elegant, and
weirdly addictive. I love
this app!
Michael Evans, Georgia Tech
This games is so addicting.
It’s like the chemistry
version of 2048.
Diana Lu, chemistry student
I think it’s great. Very
addictive. I will be
encouraging my students to
play.
Nimesh Mistry, University of Leeds
Chairs! (benchmark)
Day 1: 47 (25-40)
Day 3: 30 (20-25)
Day 7: 25 (18)
Day 30: 8.5 (5)
Retention statistics—a measure of
an addictive game
Text chem to 555888
Download information

6. Scores on
quiz
Played game
4
3 2
1
4
3
2
1
0
No game
4
3
2
Measurable increase in learning
Results from classroom trial
After traditional lesson, students divided into two
groups prior to quiz: those who could play Chairs!
for homework and those who could not
Scores after all played Chairs!
during class period
All played game
Link to video

7. 7
The value proposition
Students want to succeed!
Learners interact
through a touch
screen
Tactile learning
enhances intuition
Intuition comes
from making
mistakes
Games make
mistakes fun
“Exploring organic chemistry
means taking wrong turns and
making mistakes.”
Steven Hardinger, UCLA