Background
This project, the first project assigned to us in the STEM chemistry program, required your group to build an interactive board game incorporating reactions of different varieties. As well, every group needed to have a detailed blueprint of the final board, a set of rules, safety instructions, and a set theme. At the end of our work period, we are required to show the public our game at a designated "Chemical Dominoes" night, and present in front of the class (unfortunately for my group over video). For our project, we integrated the well-known and loved children's movie: Zootopia. With this setting, we decided to be creative with our background on the board, thus painting it in separate regions based on the different biomes in the movie. In the center, we made cardboard towers to represent the central city in Zootopia, which later became the only accessible shortcut on our game. After painting the board to completion, we focused on the chemistry aspect of the board-game. After some research on elaborate and unfeasible chemical reactions, my group settled on recreating classic experiments, like combine lead nitrate with potassium iodide. These simple yet fun reactions let us connect with the audience who played our game, by integrating each experiment with a real life task. For example, for the reaction previously stated, needed to be made in order to help paint the school bus yellow. The children who played our game loved the color change and the connection to the movie they recently enjoyed. My group presented at the project night with little failure, giving an excellent conclusion to the hard work on the project.
Game Board
Presentation With Reactions (Order left to right)
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Important terminology
1.) Synthesis Reaction: A reaction in which multiple reactants come together and yield a single product. (A+B=AB)
2.) Decomposition Reaction: A reaction in which a single compound breaks down into two or more elements/compounds. (AB=A+B)
3.) Single Displacement Reaction: A reaction in which an element reacts with a compound and yield a different element and compound. (A+BC=B+AC)
4.) Double Displacement Reaction: A reaction in which two compounds switch cations and anions, forming two new products. (AB+CD=CB+AD)
5.) Combustion Reaction: A reaction in which an organic compound and oxygen yield water and carbon dioxide.
2.) Decomposition Reaction: A reaction in which a single compound breaks down into two or more elements/compounds. (AB=A+B)
3.) Single Displacement Reaction: A reaction in which an element reacts with a compound and yield a different element and compound. (A+BC=B+AC)
4.) Double Displacement Reaction: A reaction in which two compounds switch cations and anions, forming two new products. (AB+CD=CB+AD)
5.) Combustion Reaction: A reaction in which an organic compound and oxygen yield water and carbon dioxide.
Game reaction Cards (Ordered 1-3 Left to right)
Blueprint
Reflection
The board game let me experience my love for building and prototyping like I would have never experienced before in a chemistry class. As well, it familiarized me with the types of reactions and some key compounds that may be useful for the final. The skills that I developed during this project include: building simple structures, setting up reactions, mixing chemicals, memorizing compounds and types of reactions, public speaking, and teamwork. All these are necessary for the future and this project gave me a small boost forward into becoming an engineer of tomorrow. Although it sounds farfetched, these skills ultimately will help me in life even when I least expect it, like using memorization skills in college, or speaking formally at a job interview. Getting back to the Chemical Dominoes project, my group experienced a series of ups and downs, all equally contributing to a successful board game and presentation. First, we made sure to plan accordingly, accounting for the time we have to work, and making sure we get done certain tasks each day. Next, we distributed tasks equally to not give the burden too much on one person. Finally, our good communication skills allowed my team to achieve a successful project with no set backs. Some negatives include: members being absent from important presentations with little warning, calcium carbonate sitting out too long making our experiment fail at certain times, and not being able to present in class, ultimately forcing us to present while stuck in an uncomfortable and forced situation. To conclude, this project gave way to an exciting and interesting year in the chemistry program, giving me high hopes for the following semester, and the final year of the STEM program.