First-Year PhD Student Develops Organic Chemistry Board Game “REACT!” at UCLA
Kelly Wong, a first-year PhD student at UCLA’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, co-created an innovative board game called REACT! designed to make learning organic chemistry engaging and enjoyable.
Addressing Challenges in Organic Chemistry Education
During her undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, Wong observed that many students found organic chemistry intimidating. To transform this perception, Wong and eight classmates, passionate about teaching, developed REACT! to help students view organic chemistry as a stimulating puzzle rather than a barrier.
Game Concept and Educational Approach
REACT! positions players as scientists tasked with synthesizing compounds using fifteen fundamental organic chemistry reactions. The gameplay encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, making complex concepts accessible and fun for students, science enthusiasts, and board gamers alike.
Achievements and Recognition
- In 2017, the team successfully raised over $15,000 via Kickstarter.
- They won two awards at UC Berkeley’s Big Ideas international entrepreneurship contest.
- By April 2019, REACT! was commercially available through its official website, with plans for Amazon distribution.
- The game has been endorsed by UC Berkeley chemistry faculty and featured on media outlets such as ABC 7 News, Chemical & Engineering News, and NPR’s How I Built This podcast.
- There are ongoing initiatives to donate game copies to low-income schools and collaborate with outreach programs at UCLA.
About Kelly Wong
Kelly graduated from UC Berkeley in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. Her undergraduate research spanned bioengineering and chemistry education. Now a chemical biology graduate student at UCLA, Wong aims to become a university professor. Outside academia, she enjoys baking, and playing jazz flute and trombone.
Contact: Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu
Game Purchase: Available at the REACT! website
REACT! exemplifies combining STEM education with innovative, sustainable learning tools to enhance student engagement and success in demanding subjects like organic chemistry.
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