Enriching the Science Classroom with a Lumination Learning Lab

Exploring STEM Fields in a New Way, with Extended Reality Education Technology

Extended reality represents the next step in science education. Combining augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), these immersive technologies expand the boundaries of what is possible in the classroom.

This means:

• Enhancing student engagement
• Fostering inclusive learning environments to break down boundaries
• Improving the experience of teachers
• Optimising the attainment of key learning objectives for students

How the Lumination Learning Lab Is Changing Education

With the Lumination Learning Lab, we want to make it easier to bring XR education technology into the teaching environment. We’ve developed this solution with the following objectives in mind.

Total Engagement with Station-Based Learning

The Lab is built around the station-based learning framework, enabling all students to remain engaged with the process, eliminating waiting times and helping everyone stay on task.

A More Diverse Set of Learning Experiences

In STEM fields, students frequently encounter difficult concepts, and physical experimentation is often not feasible. Lumination Learning Lab supports students as they explore these concepts with diverse tools. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world problems which may not be possible in a traditional classroom. For example, students can use programs, such as CoSpaces, to develop solutions to minimise the damage caused from Earthquakes by developing Earthquake-resistant buildings. 

Building Connections Between Students

With the Lumination Learning Lab, extended reality learning education becomes a communal experience. Students must collaborate and communicate with one another, fostering cooperation and empathy skills in the classroom. 

Enhancing Science Classes with the Lumination Learning Lab

Science has always been about exploration, experimentation, and the illumination of complex ideas and concepts. In this sense, extended reality technology goes hand in hand with science education, providing the virtual environment in which to make this happen. With Lumination Learning Lab, we go further, offering specifically designed lesson plans, tools, and learning experiences for students in science and in other STEM fields.

Here are some of the tools and experiences you can deploy within the Lab in the Science classrooms to elevate the learning experience.

The Future of Ecology

In the Lumination Learning Lab, VR experience Ocean Rift serves as a captivating tool for teaching students about marine ecology and the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems. Students can explore diverse underwater habitats, encountering a wide array of marine life, from colorful coral reefs to majestic sea turtles. By observing these virtual environments and interacting with virtual sea creatures, students gain a deeper understanding of marine biodiversity and the importance of preserving ocean habitats for the health of our planet.

Harvest Simulator provides students with a unique perspective on agricultural ecosystems and the impact of human activities on the environment. By simulating the process of farming in virtual reality, students can explore concepts such as crop rotation, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. Through hands-on experiences in the virtual field, students learn about the delicate balance between agriculture and ecology, gaining insight into the importance of responsible land management and the role of farming in feeding a growing population while preserving natural resources.

Furthermore, students will begin to develop a conceptual understanding of interconnected biomes, living things and habitats. 

By integrating these experiences into the science curriculum, educators can provide students with immersive and interactive learning experiences that deepen their understanding of ecology and the relationship between humans and the environment. 

Ocean Rift serves as a captivating tool for teaching students about marine ecology and the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems

Astronomy and Physics

In a Lumination Learning Lab, Gadgeteer offers a dynamic platform for students to explore principles of physics through hands-on experimentation and design. By constructing intricate Rube Goldberg machines in a virtual environment, students can observe firsthand how various components interact and affect one another’s motion. Through trial and error, students learn about concepts such as gravitational forces, momentum, and energy transfer, gaining practical insights into the fundamental laws governing motion and mechanics. Gadgeteer’s intuitive interface and interactive features provide a captivating learning experience that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, making it an invaluable tool for teaching physics in a dynamic and engaging manner.

Similarly, Home: A VR Spacewalk transports students beyond the confines of the classroom and into the vastness of outer space, offering a breathtaking journey through the cosmos. Guided by realistic simulations of astronauts and space equipment, students embark on a virtual spacewalk to explore celestial bodies, spacecraft, and phenomena in the universe. This immersive experience allows students to visualize abstract concepts such as orbital mechanics, gravitational forces, and the scale of the cosmos, deepening their understanding of astrophysics and inspiring curiosity about the mysteries of space.

By integrating both Gadgeteer and Home: A VR Spacewalk into the science curriculum, educators provide students with transformative learning experiences that spark wonder, foster exploration, and instill a passion for scientific inquiry.

Gadgeteer offers a dynamic platform for students to explore principles of physics through hands-on experimentation and design.

Sustainability and the Environment

The power of using immersive technology to learn about sustainability lies in its ability to engage students in interactive and experiential learning experiences. By leveraging virtual reality experiences like Trash Time and Skytropolis, in the Lumination Learning Lab, educators can inspire students to explore complex sustainability issues, foster a deeper understanding of its principles, and empower them to take meaningful action towards building a more sustainable future.

Trash Time provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about waste management and sustainability through immersive gameplay in their Lumination Learning Lab. In this virtual reality experience, students become a waste management engineer tasked with cleaning up a polluted city. By navigating through virtual environments and collecting trash using power-ups and power tools, students gain a hands-on understanding of the challenges associated with waste disposal and the importance of recycling and proper waste management practices. Trash Time encourages students to think critically about the environmental impact of their actions and empowers them to become advocates for sustainable living.

Skytropolis offers students a virtual canvas to explore sustainable urban planning and design principles. As city planners in a futuristic metropolis, students must balance the needs of the city’s inhabitants with environmental conservation efforts. By constructing sustainable infrastructure, implementing green technologies, and managing resources efficiently, students learn about the interconnectedness of urban development and environmental sustainability. Skytropolis encourages students to envision and create cities that prioritize environmental stewardship and promote a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

CoSpaces offers another innovative platform for students to tackle real-world sustainability challenges through immersive experiences. By creating virtual environments, students can create sustainable solutions and simulate scenarios related to renewable energy, waste management, urban planning, and more. Through collaborative projects, students can collaborate, brainstorm, and iterate on ideas, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Lumination’s Future Thinkers Challenge showcased how students can use CoSpaces to address real-world sustainability issues with creativity and innovation.

Trash Time encourages students to think critically about the environmental impact of their actions.

Biology and Human Anatomy

The Lumination Learning Lab offers a dynamic and innovative approach to teaching biology and anatomy, empowering students to explore complex concepts to develop and retain practical skills with immersive technology.

In the Lumination Learning Lab, Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell offers students a captivating journey into the microscopic world of biology. Through this immersive virtual reality experience, students can explore the inner workings of a cell, witnessing cellular processes and structures firsthand. By navigating through interactive environments and observing molecular interactions, students gain a deeper understanding of cellular biology and anatomy. Body VR allows students to visualize complex concepts in biology in a way that traditional textbooks cannot, fostering engagement and enhancing learning outcomes.

Another experience providing students with a virtual platform for hands-on exploration is Dissection Simulator: Frog Edition. By simulating the dissection of a frog in virtual reality, students can examine anatomical structures and learn about organ systems without the need for a physical specimen. This immersive experience allows students to practice dissection techniques in a realistic and safe environment, enhancing their understanding of anatomy and physiology. Dissection Simulator not only improves skill retention but also provides students with valuable hands-on experiences that may not be feasible in a traditional classroom setting.

Dissection Simulator gives students the tools to examine anatomical structures and learn about organ systems without the need for a physical specimen

Chemistry and Experimentation

The power of using immersive technology to teach chemistry lies in its ability to provide students with realistic and interactive learning experiences, allowing students to explore complex concepts and develop essential skills in a safe and controlled environment. By immersing students in virtual laboratories like Materials VR and HOLOLab Champions, educators can engage students in hands-on experimentation, reinforce scientific concepts, and inspire a passion for chemistry.

Materials VR immerses students in the world of chemistry, offering a virtual laboratory where they can explore the properties and behaviors of various materials. Through interactive experiments and simulations, students can manipulate molecules, observe chemical reactions, and study the properties of different substances in a safe and controlled environment. Materials VR provides students with a hands-on approach to learning about chemistry, allowing them to experiment with different materials and observe real-world phenomena in a way that sparks curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of scientific principles.

HOLOLab Champions offers students an immersive and interactive experience in chemistry experimentation. By stepping into the virtual laboratory, students can engage in a series of challenges and experiments that test their knowledge of chemistry concepts and laboratory techniques. From mixing solutions to conducting titrations, students can practice essential laboratory skills and gain practical experience in a virtual setting. HOLOLab Champions not only reinforces classroom learning but also cultivates problem-solving skills and critical thinking, empowering students to become proficient in the field of chemistry.

HOLOLab Champions offers students an immersive and interactive experience in chemistry experimentation.

Get the Best from Extended Reality Education Technology with the Lumination Learning Lab

The Lumination Learning Lab can transform the way you teach science and the way your students engage with the curriculum. Book your demo today to discover how this can work in your own classrooms.