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Puzzling through General Chemistry: A Light-Hearted Approach to Engaging Students with Chemistry Content

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Susan L. Boyd

Department of Chemistry, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 2J6, Canada

J. Chem. Educ., 2007, 84 (4), p 619

DOI: 10.1021/ed084p619

Publication Date (Web): April 1, 2007

Abstract

The first-year general chemistry course is often considered to be dry, particularly for students who are taking the course as a requirement for majors other than chemistry itself. Puzzles and games that relate to the curriculum can help reduce the apparent dullness. Students enjoy them and seem to learn from them. Over the years I have created a variety of puzzles that I assign occasionally to the students when I sense the need for a lighter view of what we have been covering. While students learn from doing the puzzles, the main purpose of the puzzles is to make the material more interesting while reinforcing some of the concepts taught in the classroom. Ten of these puzzles and their solutions are included with this paper.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Curriculum

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Humor / Puzzles / Games

Keywords (Subject):

Aqueous Solution Chemistry

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