Unless they are watching the latest episode of Breaking Bad, chances are most students are not getting excited to learn about chemistry. But one Ohio University professor is aiming to change that.
Eric Masson, associate professor of bioorganic and supramolecular chemistry, created a game called Orgominio in late 2010 when he began to notice his students were having trouble understanding his lessons. Using a set of cards with various chemistry labels on it, the game helped students understand how chemistry is created, and, as a result, helped them understand his lessons.
His game became such a success that students were willing to spend a great sum of money to buy it. That’s when he said he realized that he needed to take his game to the next step — the digital age.
“When I saw that my game was so successful, I saw an opportunity to expand it and make it more universal and popular,” said Masson, who just received tenure this year. “Through using this technology, I am able to expand my game beyond Ohio University.”
While getting in contact with Alec Lisy, who worked on the coding, and Patrick Koga, who worked on the artwork, Masson had been working with the GRID lab to bring his video game to life. They created the app, which will be similar in design to the original version, and said they hope to be finished with the game by the end of the month.
“There were a lot of challenges to overcome and the development process has been a learning experience, but the game is coming together and hopefully it will be finished within a few months,” Lisy, a junior studying games and animation, said.
Masson said the game should be available for students by the beginning of next year in Apple stores and sites.
“I hope that students can have another avenue of studying for something as difficult as organic chemistry,” Lisy said. “I know that I’d rather use something like Orgomino than memorizing flash cards. I have developed games before, but this was the first iPad app that I’ve worked on.”
Koga, a senior studying digital media, said he hopes — along with Masson and Lisy — that students can use their app to develop understanding of chemistry while also having some fun. One of the biggest advantages the app will have over the original game will be that though the original game required playing against another person, this digital game will allow the user to play against the app in order to learn the material.
“My main motivation, basically, is for students to be learning chemistry while also enjoying it,” Masson said.
wa054010@ohiou.edu
