Unit Kemps: A Matching Card Game to Learn Physical Quantities, Units, and Symbols

Abstract

Educational games have attracted attention as valuable didactic instruments since they combine a proven efficiency in learning improvement with a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Despite the increasing number of educational game contributions treating a wide variety of topics, to the best of our knowledge, none revise units or physical quantities. “Unit Kemps” is a 4- to 12-player funny, engaging, easy-to-play, and trilingual (English, French, and Spanish) game. Based on the French card game “Kemps”, the main goal of the game is to match 4 cards of a kind, in this case a physical or chemical quantity, its symbol, its unit, and the instrument used to measure it. More importantly, the game targets learning physical quantities and to distinguish among the physical property, the unit, and their respective symbols in an amusing and relaxing atmosphere. The game was tested by 47 first- and second-year students from the Facultad de Quı́mica at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), with encouraging results in different aspects including content, playability, and engagement. Moreover, a pre- and postevaluation revealed an encouraging enhancement in memorization concerning the identification of physical and chemical quantities after playing the game. In summary, playing “Unit Kemps” might be a useful tool for students and educators to reinforce basic scientific curricula concepts and also to interact among them in a playful environment.

PLATA: Design of an Online Platform for Chemistry Undergraduate Fully Automated Assignments

“…42,43 In this context, Mexico is one of the few countries that requires students enrolled in higher education programs to participate in a mandatory Social Service program. 40 Social Service is similar to the Community Service required in some American schools; however, in Mexico, social service activities must be directly related to the student's field of study. In Mexico, Social Service programs play a critical role, benefiting marginalized segments of society and fostering students' awareness, making them more aware and socially responsible.…”

“…The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is a public institution dedicated to contributing to the common good by educating socially responsible citizens. , In this context, Mexico is one of the few countries that requires students enrolled in higher education programs to participate in a mandatory Social Service program . Social Service is similar to the Community Service required in some American schools; however, in Mexico, social service activities must be directly related to the student’s field of study.…”

“…Every numerical value representing a physical or chemical quantity must be accompanied by its corresponding unit. 40 Noteworthy, PLATA provides specific feedback for each attempt, enabling students to identify the source of their mistakes in their particular case (Figure 4). In addition, PLATA offers students supplementary content for reviewing the course, including book chapters and links to peer-reviewed videos.…”

Intermolecular Forces Dominoes! A Game for Aiding Students in Their Review of Intermolecular Forces

“…During the last few decades, teachers in their attempt to solve this and many other challenges facing chemistry instruction have successfully employed other strategies and teaching schemes such as gamification, as this promotes active learning, reasoning, creativity engagement, and interest. − Educational games combine important and necessary aspects for adequate transmission of knowledge, such as greater involvement on the part of students, an increased capacity for learning more complex concepts, enhancement or improved recall of topics learned, and increased motivation. Likewise, the playful aspect of games involves a relaxed atmosphere, camaraderie, interaction between peers, motivation, and cheerful competition.…”

A Murder Mystery Gamification Session to Consolidate Analytical Biochemical Techniques Learning

“…Many researchers have developed games for chemical and biochemical education. Examples include card games to aid memorization, − quiz games, , board games with chemical challenges, − escape rooms, − narrative games, , murder mysteries, , and the use of ChemDraw as a game . Game writing has been used as an educational tool, while Lego and Lego Serious Play have been used to teach scientific concepts.…”