Chemi-play: A tangible interface for learning chemical bonding through physical interaction and playful experimentation .

[ Type ] Interaction Design — Prototyping

[ Timeline ] 4 weeks (Autumn 2024)

"Grasp the bonds. Literally."

In our brainstorming session, we explored ideas across smart homes, health, and playful tech. The top-voted concept was “block toys for children with digital elements,” combining tactile play with interactive learning.

Challenges

Chemistry education often relies on abstract diagrams and rote memorisation, which can be difficult for students to connect with or understand deeply. Concepts like chemical bonding remain intangible, making it challenging to foster curiosity and long-term retention.

Goals

• Make chemical bonding more accessible through tangible, embodied interaction.

• Enhance engagement and understanding in STEM education through playful learning.

• Bridge digital and physical modalities to support diverse learning styles.

• Prototype a scalable tool that could integrate into formal and informal educational settings.

Approach

We aimed to translate abstract molecular structures into embodied experiences. By leveraging multisensory interaction and tangible user interfaces, we created a system where students could explore, experiment, and learn chemistry by physically constructing compounds—supporting embodied cognition and playful discovery.

Idea Sketching

Idea Mapping

Experiments

User Journey Map – Persona: Leo, 13, Curious Middle School Student

Stage	Touchpoints	User Actions	Emotions	Opportunities
1. Introduction	Classroom activity, facilitator demo, visual instructions	Learns that blocks represent elements	Curious, slightly skeptical	Use colors and shapes to quickly communicate each block’s purpose
2. Exploration Begins	Colored element blocks, facilitator explanation	Starts connecting blocks and watching reactions	Playful, engaged	Add subtle haptic feedback or snapping effect to enhance satisfaction
3. Reaction Feedback	Screen-based visual showing compound creation	Notices that connecting H + O = water	Excited, validated	Include sounds or animations for compound formation to reinforce learning
4. Trying Variations	New blocks, on-screen prompts	Experiments with different combinations	Curious, challenged	Introduce subtle hints or suggestions to guide compound discovery
5. Reflecting	Facilitator questions, peer discussion	Talks about what compounds they made, what worked/didn't	Proud, confident	Encourage group-based discovery and discussion to reinforce chemistry concepts

Features

• Tangible Learning Blocks

  Colour-coded and labelled element pieces that support hands-on assembly and intuitive grasp of atomic categories.

• Real-Time Visual Feedback

  A digital screen visualises compound structures and presents contextual learning content the moment blocks are connected.

• Playful Interaction, Serious Learning

  Open-ended experimentation encourages curiosity and reinforces chemical principles in a pressure-free, exploratory way.

• Multisensory Engagement

  Combines touch, sight, and interactivity to make complex ideas more accessible and memorable.

• Designed for Classroom & Informal Learning

  Suitable for schools, maker spaces, and science exhibits—adaptable to both guided lessons and freeform play.

User Testing Insights

• Engagement: Users described the experience as fun and intuitive.

• Ease of Use: Colored and labeled blocks made element recognition and connection easy.

• Feedback: Participants wanted more elements and compound options to continue exploring.

Impact

Chemi-play successfully demonstrated how tangible interfaces and playful design can deepen understanding and engagement in science education. It sparked new insights into multisensory learning and encouraged a rethinking of how abstract subjects like chemistry can be taught through embodied experience. The prototype laid the groundwork for further exploration into educational tools that combine play, physicality, and meaningful learning.