Ion – a compound building game

A fast paced card game where players compete to build compounds from a limited number of positively and negatively charged ions.

Duration: 20 – 30 min
Number of players: 2 – 7
Material: cards
Link: https://pen-en-pion.nl/en/game-of-cards-in-biology-and-chemistry-class/

Short description

At the beginning of the round, each player is dealt a hand of Element Cards, form which they’ll pick one to play. They’ll then pass the remaining cards to the player on their left. Players will repeat this ‘pick and pass’ process until they have two cards left, which marks the end of the round.

Then, points are scored for neutrally charged compounds, Noble gasses, and achieving Goal Cards. After three rounds, the player with the most points wins.

Educational Value

The game is aimed at gaining and deepening understanding about building compounds of ions. Due to the relatively short playing time of 20-30 minutes, ION can be introduced, played and briefly discussed within a 45-minute lesson.

Recommendation for use

The basic game contains playing cards depicting positively (and negatively) charged ions and noble gases, while the extended modes in the game also include transition metals, polyatomic ions and radioactive ions.

Tips and tricks

Individual parts of the game can be picked up and deepened after the game. In this way, specific lesson content can be discussed: for example, how ionic compounds are constructed, which ions are involved, in which compounds certain ions occur, etc.