A Molecular Simulation App to Change the Way Students Learn About Atoms
General Overview: An interdisciplinary team from University of Wisconsin-Madison, comprised of game developers, researchers and outreach educators, has collaborated to develop AtomTouch, an interactive touch screen application (app) designed to give users a deeper understanding of atomic structure. The simulation enables users to build atomic models under various physical conditions. The computer simulation built into the app ensures that the atoms behave according to the laws of physics. Learning objectives include exploring: how atoms move at various temperatures and pressures, the atomic difference between a solid and a gas, and how atoms bond to one another. Field testing and evaluation of AtomTouch are leading to improvements in the app and the curriculum. Future plans are to expand the capabilities of AtomTouch to incorporate modules covering a wide range of materials science challenges.
