StereoChem: Augmented Reality 3D Molecular Model Visualization App for Teaching and Learning Stereochemistry

Understanding stereochemistry is of critical importance for students aiming to be future chemists, molecular biologists, pharmacists, pharmacologists or physicians. Stereochemistry focuses on the study of the stereoisomers which have the same molecular formula but differ only in the spatial orientation of their atoms resulting in different physical, chemical or biological properties. Hence spatial thinking skill is essential for students to interpret stereoisomers. Augmented reality helps enhance the spatial perception of 3D molecules. StereoChem, our mobile app for visualizing augmented 3D molecular models harnesses this advantage of augmented reality to aid teaching and learning of stereochemistry. This paper gives a brief introduction to the significance and challenges of learning stereochemistry. It describes the design inputs that were considered for encouraging the ubiquitous use of our app by chemistry teachers and students, then discusses the development of the StereoChem app and the teaching-learning contexts in which it can be used. Finally, it gives an account of the user experience study done with 50 chemistry teachers.