chairs!: a mobile game based on cyclohexane conformers

The Game

The problem

Organic chemistry in college is a notoriously difficult class, with a fail rate that exceeds 40%. This class is a roadblock standing in the path of students wanting to progress in careers in medicine, engineering, and science. The spatial understanding required for success in organic chemistry is not readily accessible via traditional textbook and lecture delivery systems.

Why it works

Future gamesOur solution

We are developing mobile games that make learning organic chemistry tactile, intuitive, and fun.

The Alchemie game suite creates games out of the puzzles of organic chemistry. Through the use of a touch screen, our games make the theoretical touchable. We are providing an innovative path for success in organic chemistry. Most importantly, students have an engaging method of learning they can take with them anywhere on their mobile devices.

Contact infoEmail: Julia@alchem.ieTwitter1: @OChemJulieTwitter2: @LearnAlchemieWebsite: alchem.ie

Julia Winter, Detroit Country Day School22305 West Thirteen Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025

Chairs! A mobile game based on cyclohexane conformers

4

3 21

4

3

2

1

0

4

32

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 a 60-min class period

Released on iOS and android. Players move through the 13 levels of Chairs! matching the axial and equatorial positions according to the pattern. Each level must be completedin an allotted time. Points are earned with each correct move. Badges are earned for perfect levels—5 moves correctly without mistake.

Classroom Trial

Download information: text chem to 555888 or go to chai.rs

Simply elegant and weirdly addictive. I love this app. Michael Evans, Georgia Tech

Testimonials

It’s great. Very addictive. I will be encouraging my students to play. Nimesh Mistry, University of Leeds

After encouraging my students to play Chairs! and taking class time for a contest, I am extremely impressed with results. My students as a whole were much more adept at ring flips than in any previous semesters. Michael Wentzel, Augsburg College

It’s so addicting. It’s like the chemistry version of 2048. Diana Lu, Chemistry student

Addictive Game-Play

Day 1 Day 3 Day 7 Day 30 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Retention Statistics for Chairs!Chairs! Benchmark

Days after initial download

Pe

rce

nt

of

use

rs

The largest increase in new users, approximately 1500 users in two weeks, came at the end of January 2015. This period coincideded with the teaching of the topic in the second semester and the android release. These are the retention statistics for Chairs! from February 28, 2015 versus strong retention benchmarks.*

Scores on quiz

No game Played game All played game

*http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/TrevorMcCalmont/20130228/187460/How_Do_I_Know_I_Have_a_Healthy_Game.php

Game-based learning =

Constructivist learning

Learners interact through a touch

screenIntuition comes from

making mistakes

Games make mistakes fun

Tactile learning

enhances intuition

Alchemie team

Joe Engalan, CTOCarl Rundell, COOCurt Prins, Marketing

Business incubators

Chairs 2.0 to be re-released with interactive tutorial and in-app purchases.

The mechanism game is in development. Spans entire curriculum with adaptive systems.

A multi-player, three-dimensional interactive game based on chirality and stereochemistry.