Chem Tokens: Revolutionizing Chemistry Education

Augmented Reality Meets Physical Experience in Innovative Teaching Tool

Driven by her own challenging experiences in chemistry class, Petraityte envisioned a tool that could bring the abstract world of atoms and molecules to life. The result is Chem Tokens, a collection of 48 different tokens, each representing an element from the periodic table. The design of each token is based on the principles of the periodic table, making it easy for students to understand the structure of the table and the uniqueness of each element.

But the innovation doesn't stop there. Petraityte, in collaboration with app developer Valentinas Rimeika, has created an accompanying app that brings the tokens to life. When students connect the tokens to form molecules, the app visualizes the process, allowing students to see how elements combine in real-world chemical reactions. This physical and visual interaction helps students better understand and remember complex chemistry concepts.

The tokens are made using UV print on white Plexiglas and are laser cut. They come in two sizes, one for teachers to use on a whiteboard and a smaller one for students to use on their own. The tokens are also equipped with magnets on the back, making them easy to arrange and rearrange on a magnetic surface.

The project, which started in January 2018 at the Vilnius Academy of Art, has already received international recognition. It was exhibited at the Tokyo DesignArt week, the Dubai design week, and the Global Grad Show. More importantly, it has received positive feedback from its intended users - students and teachers. Petraityte notes that students' eyes light up when they use Chem Tokens, and they are eager to explore and experiment with the tokens.

Chem Tokens is not just an innovative teaching tool; it's a testament to the power of design and technology in education. By merging physical interaction with augmented reality, Petraityte has created a tool that makes learning chemistry a fun and engaging experience. This tool is a significant step towards modernizing classroom teaching and making education more interactive and immersive.

Chem Tokens was awarded Silver in the A' Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design Award in 2019, a testament to its innovative design and potential impact on education. As Petraityte continues to refine and expand the Chem Tokens collection, one thing is clear: the future of chemistry education is here, and it's more exciting than ever.