Collisions classroom integration & usage scenarios
The Collision games and supporting resources can be used pre-instructionally, post-instructionally and also for guided instruction in a chemistry course.
Usage Scenario
Purpose
Description
Usage Scenario
Purpose
Introduction to new content:
- Engagement
- Inquiry-Driven Exploration
Description
Assign the early Collisions game levels to enable students to make observations about a new concept and explore on their own before a lesson.
Usage Scenario
Purpose
Review of previously taught content:
- Practice
- Reinforcement
- Extension
Description
Assign additional Collisions game levels after instruction to encourage students to extend their learning and practice a concept introduced in a lesson.
Learn how chemistry teachers are incorporating Collisions into their chemistry courses and explore some sample usage scenarios below!
Collisions classroom integration & usage scenarios
I use Collisions as a way to introduce a topic or to have students explore on their own.
Deonna P.
I use Collisions as an inquiry based curriculum material. The app helps students see how chemistry phenomena work.
Diane V.
I’ve been using Collisions it as an intro, guided inquiry activity. I then follow up on the key moments in the game.
Brady L.
Implementation strategy
Assign the first few levels of a Collisions game prior to instruction. Encourage students to explore and begin making their own observations about a new topic. This is great for NGSS alignment and exploring phenomena!
To encourage observation, you can assign guided questions (linked below!) that focus student attention on a specific concept or visual that was experienced during gameplay.
Don’t forget to refer back to the game experience during your lesson! This connection to gameplay will provide a foundation of understanding for students when introduced to a new topic!
Example:
Teaching Types of Intermolecular Forces
- Assign the first 6 levels of the Intermolecular Forces Game.
- Answer these guided questions during gameplay!
- Refer back to the IMFs game experience during your lesson.
Collisions classroom integration & usage scenarios
I plan to use it this summer to assign Pre-AP work for incoming AP students to keep their skills and knowledge sharp.
Trish F.
I used the Atoms Game to expose my students to electron sublevels and orbitals since I don’t teach it to them in my curriculum.
Aimee H.
While designed for a General Chemistry curriculum, Collisions serves as a great resource for additional courses.
For AP and IB students, you can use Collisions prior to teaching a concept or at the beginning of the year as a ‘refresh’ of previously learned content.
For pre-chemistry courses, perhaps you want your students to be aware of a concept while not teaching it directly. Use the Collisions games for this, as students do not need prior knowledge to play!
Review this list of chemistry concepts integrated into the Collisions chemistry games to help you in planning how to use the games in your course.
Atoms
- Atomic neutrality
- Atomic radii trends
- Electron configuration
- Aufbau Principle
- Hund’s Rule
- Electronegativity
Ionic Bonding
- Attraction and repulsion
- Net compound neutrality
- Cation to anion ratios
- Polyatomic ions
- Ionic compounds contain one type of cation and one type of anion
Intermolecular Forces
- Types of IMFs
- IMF strengths
- Polar and non-polar molecules
- Moleuclar geometry and bond polarity
Acids & Bases
- Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases
- Strong versus weak acids
- Neutralization reactions
- Amphoteric substances
- Conjugate acids and conjugate bases
Ions
- Cation formation
- Anion formation
- Octet rule
- Ionic radii
- Ionization energy trends
- Electron affinty
Covalent Bonding
- Octet rule
- Types of bonds
- Bond polarity
- Electron domains
- Molecular shape/VSEPR Theory
- Atomic bonding patterns
Phase Change
- 6 phase changes: melt, boil, sublimate, freeze, condense, deposit
- Endothermic versus exothermic
- Potential versus kenetic energy
- IMF strengths and boiling points
Equilibrium
- All reactions can proceed in the forward and reverse directions
- The rate of the forward and reverse reactions are equal
- Le Chatelier’s Principle
Review & reinforcement
To review concepts with the hope of addressing persistent misconceptions.
Brett A.
I have been using Collisions to review a concept before a test and to help practice while we are learning a concept. It has allowed me to assign fun but challenging assignments that they can do besides just questions online. They are also able to visualize the concepts we are learning, especially when I am unable to demonstrate those concepts how I normally would in class.
Christina D.
I have been assigning certain sims to use as supplements and challenges to material I am providing them (students) remotely. Both “Acids & Bases” and “Equilibrium” were particularly helpful in this effort. My hope is the tutorial and graduated nature of these sims will help students practice the concepts I want them to learn.
Donna H.
Implementation strategy
To extend the learning, provide guided questions during gameplay or assign a Student Quest.
For additional practice, students can earn Achievements in the Collisions Sandbox spaces.
Example:
Teaching Covalent Bonding
- Assign the Covalent Bonding game levels to your students.
- Encourage students to answer these questions and complete the Covalent Bonding Quest.
- Assign the Covalent Bonding Achievements during your lesson.
Lab replacement
I used the IMFs game with my chemistry students as a lab activity over the course of two days. One day to complete the levels and the second day to complete the achievements in the sandbox. They had already learned about the different types of IMFs in class. We had just gone to remote learning and were not able to complete the wet labs we would usually complete for this topic so the Collisions provided a great substitute lab activity.
Andrea R.
It’s a hands on way for students to play around with chemical concepts. Since we can’t get into the lab, this is a good way to see concepts at home.
Erik L.
Implementation strategy
To extend the learning, assign a Sandbox Lab Activity.
Example:
Teaching Ionization Energy
- Assign the Ions Game for students. Students should play through at least Level 8.
- Prompt students to enter the Ions Sandbox and assign this Ionization Energy Lab Activity.
Assessment
I have assigned [Collisions] as a way to reteach and assess student learning.…
Tom G.
After playing through the Acids & Bases game, about 80% of students correctly answered questions that assessed their mastery of acids, bases, and neutralization reactions.
Kevin T.
Implementation strategy
If you’ve already taught a concept and would like to assess student learning, you can assign the Collisions game levels or the Sandbox Achievements. You can view student progress in the Teacher Portal.
If your students have already played the games and you would like to assess student mastery, you can assign a Check for Understanding Activity!
Example:
Assessing Acids, Bases, and Neutralization Reactions
- Assign the Acids and Bases Game.
- Assess student mastery by asking students to complete this Acids & Bases Check for Understanding.
Collisions educator profiles
Patricia L.
We have used Collisions as introductory exploratory work, we have used the teacher resource materials and done whole units with most of the visual/interactive support coming from Collisions and we have used Collisions material to review and reinforce concepts from one unit before beginning a new unit later in the year.
Cristin H.
The increasing levels with teaching and then “on your own” in addition to the sandbox gives appropriate and useful opportunities to my students who typically have been chemistry “book”/classroom lab learners. This site has worked seamlessly with their chromebooks and I plan to use it in the future — even when we DO return to the typical school setting. The interactivity and scaffolding of the lesson levels works beautifully!
Kristina W.
IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL! It was seamless, easy, and so helpful. You have no idea. The GoogleClassroom connection made it even better. The ability to log in and see my students’ progress … it was excellent.
Derrick S.
Cool way to do flipped kind of class to give them general understanding of how atoms and ions work.
Barbara S.
On the Educator Quick Start Guide, I used the questions and made my own Google Form, so the students could be answering questions as they went through the levels. It would be nice to have something digital to go with this, or at least a forum where educators could post digital resources to go along with the game. I’d be willing to share my forms.