Chemical Dominoes

If you have ever seen a Rube Goldberg Machine or a display of carefully placed dominoes you know that when
activated each action triggers another action. Timing and exact locations of objects are very important to the
smooth operation of these sequences. Setting up a successful domino-effect display like this takes patience and
persistence on the part of the artist.

Chemistry kits are popular toys for young people. They are a great
way to have fun while learning about how exciting science can be.
Your challenge will be to take the idea of the chemistry kit a step
further. You will be creating a board game for ages 10+ that
consists of a sequence of chemical and physical (mechanical)
changes that’s entertaining for players. The sequence will Action-Reaction
eventually light a tiny light bulb called an LED. The board Sequence
game must present an appropriate challenge to set up without
being too frustrating for gamers. It should include instructions
and a drawing that shows how to arrange the sequence so that
gamers could assemble the pieces to create a “chemical
dominoes” effect. Detailed safety precautions should be Rearrangement &
Changes of Energy
included with the game. The components of the board
game must be sturdy (not fragile) and the sequence
should be able to run more than once. (Some
components may need to be replenished before each
re-running.) Most important of course is that your
board game shows a clear theme that runs Excited Electrons
throughout each component of the project
and that it provides pure enjoyment for all
those that play.
Family Game Night
Types of RxNs
Wednesday December 5th
6:30-8:00

Alternative
Pathways

Chemical
Dominoes
The Components of Chemical Dominoes Board Game:
 Sturdy game board & playing pieces  Reactions need to include(single, double,
 Blueprint drawings of board game production of gas, lighting of LED, chemical
 Playing Instruction & set-up & physical (mechanical) changes of energy
 Safety precautions  Detailed explanation of each chemical reaction
 Chemical Dominoes Board Game
Category 1 (D/F) – below 2 (C) – approaching 3 (B) – at standard 4 (A) – exceeding standard
standard standard
Work *Board Game is * Board Game has not * Board Game looks good, * Board Game shows effort has
Ethic incomplete. been completed to best but still contains some flaws been dedicated to improve quality.
*Student did not put ability. that could use editing. Meets all aspects of the challenge.
forth maximum effort *Student worked hard *Student worked hard and *Student worked hard and was on
and was often off task. sometimes, but struggled was mostly on task. task throughout the process.
*Some steps of the to stay on task. *All steps of the process *All steps of the process were
process were *Most steps of the process were completed. completed.
completed. were completed.

0 10 15 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Content * Board Game * Board Game explains * Board Game clearly * Board Game clearly explains the
overview explains the chemistry in most explains the chemistry in chemistry in all steps of the action.
some of the chemistry steps of the action. most steps of the overview. *Project shows clear understanding
concepts in the action. *Words, equations, or *Words, equations, and on major topics and themes.
*Only words or chemical principles are chemical principles are *Words, equations, and chemical
equations are used. used. used. principles are used.
*Chemistry concepts *Chemistry concepts and *All chemistry concepts and *All chemistry concepts and
and explanations explanations include some explanations are correct. explanations are correct
include major errors. errors.

0 10 15 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Communi * Board Game appears * Board Game can be *Board Game is easy to *Board Game is easy to play and
cation mostly for the mostly played, shows play and provides provides enjoyment at every level.
enjoyment of those theme and instructions/ enjoyment at every level. *Chemistry concepts are
making it. Lots of set-up are understood. *Instructions/ set-up are communicated clearly to an
incomplete work, etc. *Chemistry concepts are clear and easy to follow. audience *Reactions at each step
*Chemistry concepts communicated, but not *Concepts are of sequence are describes
are not communicated. clearly. communicated clearly to an accurately.
*Play of board game is * Play of board game is audience of people. *Application to chemical
unclear. unclear. principles are clear to audience

0 10 15 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Critical *Experimental results *Experimental results and *Some work supported by *Uses experimental results and
Thinking and research aren’t research don’t always experimental results and research to support work.
mentioned. match up with work. research. *Draws logical conclusions from
*Conclusions are *Conclusions drawn *Uses data to draw data and challenge activities
illogical and not without clear data-driven conclusions. * Chemical Domino sequence is
supported. basis. * Chemical Domino linked thoughtfully.
*Chemical Domino * Chemical Domino sequences are linked. *Analyzes and evaluates important
sequence and not sequence loosely linked. *Analyzes and evaluates chemistry concepts well.
linked. important chem concepts.

0 6 9 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Creativity *Board Game does not *Board Game has some *Board Game is visually *Board Game is visually appealing
show a theme, is level of interest. appealing and theme is and well-constructed.
unappealing. *Attempt was made to somewhat clear. *Clever connections are made
*Thinking is entertain audience. *Independent thinking is between chemical domino
derivative or copied. *Board Games still shows clear. sequences.
*Game is predictable typical play and not much *Variety can be seen in *Variety of chemical and physical
and uncreative. effort put into connection some sequences and changes demonstrated.
of theme. reactions. *Material is explained in an
interesting manner.
0 6 9 12 14
15 16 17 18 19 20

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