Sig Fig WAR Card Game for Chemistry

Sep 15

Teaching significant figures in chemistry can be challenging, as students often struggle with the concept of precision and rounding. One engaging way to reinforce this essential chemistry skill is with the card game SIG FIG WAR. It combines the excitement of the card game WAR with the repetitive practice of identifying significant figures. Practicing sig figs becomes a fun, competitive experience.

What is SIG FIG WAR?

This game is inspired by the traditional card game “WAR,” where players compare cards and the one with the higher value wins. In SIG FIG WAR, the students focus on significant figures. Students evaluate how many significant figures are present in their drawn cards. This encourages students to think critically about precision, and what the numbers actually represent.

How to Play SIG FIG WAR

Materials Needed

A deck of cards with a variety of numbers representing various significant figure rules
A timer (optional)

Rules

Prepare the cards. For this game, you’ll need cards with different numerical values printed on them. The numbers should range from small decimals (e.g., 0.0045) to large whole numbers (e.g., 34000). Make sure to include a mixture of numbers with varying significant figures. You could also include numbers in scientific notation.
Divide the deck. Students shuffle their deck and deal the cards evenly between players. Each player places their deck face down in front of them.
Play a round. Both players flip over their top card at the same time. Players compare the number of significant figures in each card. If Player A flips over a card with 125.0 (with 4 sig figs) and Player B flips over 0.0023 (with 2 sig figs), Player A wins the round because their card has a larger number of significant figures.
Winning the Round. The player with the higher number of significant figures wins both cards and places them at the bottom of their deck.
Sudden Death WAR. If both players have the same number of significant figures in their numbers, both players draw another card and compare the significant figures in those cards. The winner of the WAR round takes all cards in play.
Winning the Game. The game can in in one of two ways:

By Time. Set a time limit for play, and the player with the most cards at the end of that time wins.
By winning all the cards. Keep playing rounds until one player has won all of the cards.

Why SIG FIG WAR?

SIG FIG WAR is an exciting way to help chemistry students master the concept of significant figures. The game naturally encourages repeated practice in identifying significant figures, and encourages conversations among peers and with the teacher. By playing multiple rounds, students get more exposure to a variety of numbers and can get immediate feedback. And it’s a competitive game that keeps students engaged.

So shuffle, deal the cards, and let the learning commence!