Particle Dobble -- Exploring the Particle Zoo

TL;DR

Particle Dobble is a gamified educational tool that uses a card game to help students understand complex particle physics concepts by promoting conceptual discussion and addressing misconceptions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel card game based on Dobble to teach particle physics, emphasizing abstract symbols to challenge classical misconceptions and enhance conceptual understanding.

Findings

Facilitates repeated retrieval and discussion of particle concepts.

Addresses misconceptions about elementary particles.

Promotes non-classical understanding of quantum particles.

Abstract

Particle Dobble is an open-access, gamified learning tool designed to address persistent misconceptions in particle physics education by symbolically representing elements of the Standard Model. Aimed at upper secondary and introductory undergraduate students, the card game adapts the combinatorial structure of Dobble to create a deck in which each pair of cards shares exactly one particle symbol, fostering repeated retrieval practice and conceptual discussion. By deliberately replacing literal depictions of particles with abstract icons, the game challenges Newtonian "tiny billiard ball" mental models and promotes a relational, non-classical understanding of elementary particles. Grounded in research on student difficulties in quantum mechanics and gamification in science education, Particle Dobble serves as a low-threshold intervention to prepare learners for more formal engagement with quantum field concepts.