A Chem. Quiz. Board

Ralph E. DunbarNorth Dakota State College, Fargo, North Dakota

Perhaps the idea of matching related facts is not new to many areasof instruction. In fact numerous suggestions have been published(1-13) from time to time for improved instruction in chemistry thatinvolves the game or contest instinct. But it does not appear that theideas involved in the present ^Chem. Quiz. Board57 have been previ-ously published or that the principles have been employed in scienceor chemical teaching. No extravagant claim is made for the effective-ness of this device as a teaching tool, as compared to other traditionalmethods or techniques. It may even be argued that this is just an-other gadget to amuse indolent and indifferent students. However, itcan be stated, and experience has demonstrated, that such a tool willstimulate considerable interest and activity on the part of most stu-dents in any average chemistry class.

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70 School Science and Mathematics

The ^Chem. Quiz. Board" is constructed primarily of a piece ofplywood board that is approximately two by three feet in dimension.The size may be varied, either larger or smaller, depending upon thedemand of classroom, complexity desired, or use to be made of thesame. The lower nine-tenths of the plywood board is systematicallycovered with large metal label holders. These should be arranged incompact horizontal rows, preferably with an even number of holdersin each row. The back side of this same plywood board is wired with a110 volt A.C. cord and plug that can be attached to any convenientoutlet. The 110 volt current is then attached directly to the appro-priate terminals of a small 6 volt bell ringing transformer. The result-ing 6 volt current is then connected in series to a small buzzer or belland two flexible leads and contact points that project from the face ofthe equipment. The metal label holders are connected together bytwo^s at random by insulated leads across the back of the panel. Con-tact can be made through to the front if small bolts are used to attachthe label holders rather than small screws. One-half as many pairs ofconnected label holders can obviously be arranged as there are totallabel holders on the entire face of the board. It is extremely importantto arrange a complicated and random pairing of these label holders sothat students will not subsequently detect a set pattern. Again thepairings can be changed at any subsequent time by a shift in the wir-ing on the back. Once the pairings have been established it is neces-sary for the instructor to retain a key to the same, or this can be con-veniently recalled by placing like numbers in inconspicuous positionsnear the several plates. A small 6 volt Christmas tree light may besubstituted for the buzzer or bell. In fact both may be built into theapparatus by providing suitable small switches in each circuit. Whenthe wiring is complete a more permanent and attractive arrangementcan be provided by inclosing the back with another equal sized pieceof plywood, and using small wooden cleats around all edges to giveadequate clearance and support.When the "Chem. Ouiz. Board" is completed, appropriate size

cards are placed in each of the label holders. The apparatus is pluggedinto a source of 110 volt A.C. current. All connections and contactsshould be checked. The circuit in each case is completed by bringingthe contact points on the flexible leads into intimate contact with themetal on the pairs of connected label holders, one contact to eachholder. The buzzer or light immediately responds. It should be notedthat all exposed conducting surfaces are of the low-voltage, low-am-perage type. Once completed related items of chemical informationare placed on cards and inserted into connected label holders.

This teaching tool may be used during recitation periods to test a

students knowledge or for drill purposes. In the laboratory it pro-

A Chem. Quiz. Board 71

vides a pleasant and instructive pastime. It lends itself well to mu-seum practices. If made generally available to all comers around theschool, it may stimulate considerably interest in the subject underconsideration. Its use is not necessarily limited to any particulargrade level or type of science instruction. A few suggested uses mayinvolve drill or testing of the following types of related chemical in-formation. It is recommended that the cards be changed frequently.It is even suggested that each member of a class be permitted to pre-pare an appropriate number of paired cards.

Chemical names and formulas.Chemical elements and symbols.Chemical elements and atomic weights.Chemical elements and atomic numbers.Elements and their valencies.Pairing of appropriate anions and cations.Industrial processes and discoverers.Relative volumes of reacting gases.Chemical elements and equivalent weights.Numerical answers to mathematical problems.Physical properties of substances.Chemical properties of elements.Chemical properties of compounds.Association of chemical laws and facts.Physical constants and terminology.Prominent chemists and areas of specialization.Named organic reactions and examples.Orientation in the benzene nucleus.Chemical journals and related facts.Organic names and formulas.

LITERATURE CITED1. C. A. JACOBSON, "Chemical Spelling Stimulates Interest in Chemistry," J.

Chem. Educ., 2, 462 (1925).2. C. OTTO, "A Qualitative Analysis Puzzle," J. Chem. Educ., 3, 1071 and 1175

(1926).3. C. MORTON, "A Novel Chemical Quiz," J. Chem. Educ., 4, 84 (1927).4. A. T. BAWDEN, "A Chemical Party," J. Chem. Educ., 4, 86 (1927).5. H. JAMES, "Chemical Bank," J. Chem. Educ., 6, 1790 (1929).6. E. ELKING, "The Game of Chemists," J. Chem. Educ., 7, 636 (1930).7. W. E. CALDWELL, "Games for a Chemists’ Party," J. Chem. Educ., 12, 393

(1935).8. C. LOUISE, "Kern-Check," J. Chem. Educ., 20, 27 (1943).9. M. NEUHOF, "Do You Know Your Periodic Table?" J. Chem. Educ., 20,

222 and 302 (1943).10. P. S. CHEN AND R. SMITH, "A Coin Game Based on the Hexoses," J. Chem.

Educ., 21, 74 (1944).11. B. ENGLTJND, "Puzzle," J. Chem. Educ., 25, 233 (1948).12. H. M. DEMUTH, "Chemastery," J. Chem. Educ., 25, 459 (1948).13. J. C. CHIDDIX AND S. A. McEvoY, "Chemical Games," Chem. Leaflet, 5,

57 (1931).