Spatial Reality in STEM Learning

Pre-laboratory preparation in chemistry education often depends on students’ ability to interpret textual descriptions from lab manuals and mentally construct representations of unfamiliar spatial phenomena. Conventional pedagogical approaches??"such as passive video demonstrations or static manual-based instruction??"frequently fall short in effectively conveying the complex laboratory processes.

Virtual reality (VR) chemistry laboratories present a transformative opportunity to bridge this gap by fostering immersive, interactive learning experiences. This presentation examines the use of VR environments in enhancing spatial cognition within chemistry education, drawing parallels with its successful application in environmental chemistry and forensic science training. Our findings suggest that spatial reality improves pre-laboratory preparedness.

Speaker: Fun Man Fung, University College Dublin, Ireland

Attend in person or watch the lecture here.