 Zachtronics Industries has encouraged the game to be used as a learning tool for programming and chemistry concepts , and offers discounts for schools , though briefly offered the game free @-@ of @-@ charge for educational institutions for a few months after the release of the sandbox mode addition . According to The Independent Games Developers Association , schools in the United Kingdom have started using SpaceChem to teach students fundamental programming concepts . The success of SpaceChem led to several companies contacting Zachtronics to develop educational titles ; the company spent about two years working with Amplify to develop three " edutainment " games for their platform before they returned to work on more direct entertainment titles , but used the opportunity to improve on their in @-@ game teaching mechanics . 
