Executive Summary

Learning chemistry can be a daunting task. The first exposure that many students receive to the subject is in confusing, non-intuitive high school classes. This initial experience often causes students to form negative attitudes and turn away from chemistry permanently. Dr. Mitra Hartmann, a professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, tasked our team with the reinvention of this initial chemistry exposure through the creation of a fun and educational chemistry game. Dr. Hartmann was originally inspired by her experiences playing the viral game, Pokemon Go. Ultimately, our challenge was to create a game that introduces elementary and middle school students to fundamental chemistry concepts and prompts interest in learning through engaging gameplay mechanics.

We approached our task from a user-centered perspective, aiming to create a game that appealed to students with little familiarity with chemistry and video game. To begin our research, we conducted interviews with a high school science teacher and the project director of Genius Games, a company that makes science-inspired board games. These interviews provided insight into how creative methods of teaching can be used to enrich the student experience and prompt thorough learning. We also conducted multiple rounds of testing with three mockups to identify the game medium (i.e. board games, card games, video games) that most effectively engaged our users.

Our final design is a role-playing virtual game called ChemQuest, which was created using the game engine RPG Maker MZ. The design has four main components: (1) A narrative plot-line, (2) accessible aesthetic design, (3) a turn-based RPG battle system, (4) an interactive chemistry-themed world. The design primarily utilizes indirect chemistry, as students are exposed to the names of common molecules, periodic groups and their properties, and other chemistry-related vocabulary terms. The narrative plot-line and interactive world provide a clear sense of progression for the users, which keeps the students engaged with the game. This engagement also leads to a positive association with the subject of chemistry. As a role-playing game, ChemQuest encourages the player to identify with their chosen character, and the game's accessible design allows for users of all backgrounds to feel represented. Aesthetically pleasing graphics keep the game fresh and exciting for students as they progress through the game. The game interface is also easily customizable, which supports children of differing abilities. Finally, the turn-based battle system subtly encourages users to practice their chemistry knowledge, as students must draw upon their understanding of periodic groups to defeat science-themed enemies in fantastical battles. Ultimately, ChemQuest is carefully imbued with chemistry content to produce an immersive, engaging learning experience.

Some possible future additions to the design may include game extensions covering more complex chemistry topics, the creation of a teacher’s manual, the inclusion of a secondary non-battle mode, and a mobile app version of ChemQuest. These future developments of the design would enrich the chemistry content and user experience and expand the total reach of the design. Details about users, requirements, the four design features, and design extensions can be found using the "Navigation" page of the website.