Have you ever thought of what chemistry or any class for that matter would have been like if you were using virtual reality? Well, we caught up with SCCPS 10-12 grade honors and AP Chemistry teacher Ms. Cristal Steele as she recently had the opportunity to test some equipment out with her students. Ms. Steele had reached out to a UK based company and was able to receive and test out eight pair of VR headsets for a free trail!

So what exactly is virtual reality?

Virtual reality is an interactive computer-generated experience that has been popping up pretty much everywhere in the technology space as of late.

So how did you discover the VR headsets designed for chemistry?

I was reading a research article over summer break that discussed the use of virtual reality software to promote high learning skills in science education and they cited MEL Science Chemistry. They are apart of a Lancashire U.K.-based company called RedboxVR Ltd as one of the leading developers of this type of technology. I called the U.K. Company from my home phone and told them I taught chemistry and wanted to know more information on how this product works. RedboxVR referred me to the representative’s at Southwest Education in Marble Falls, Texas, which puts together the kits and distributes them in North America and South America. Demand for innovative classroom materials spurred Southwest Education to partner with RedboxVR. He offered to send me a set with eight headsets, a charging case and an instructor’s tablet for a free trial.

Why did you specifically seek out this type of technology?

Research is proving that the new art of technology in the span of virtual worlds is taking immersion of interactive education to the next level. The days of text based teaching and the use of just Chromebook and cellphones are a things of the past we must seek to educate student with the right now technology and virtual reality is it. I am seeking to give =e educational practices and the approach to stem sciences an second wind by implementing meaningful academic exposure to math, science, and technology in manner that meets w21st century learners at their level of 21st century technology. It is what I like to call developing my student into “global citizens”, my goal is to facilitate them into become young scientist that are academia of exemplar educational and moral character fully equipped to develop and meet the challenges for the scientific world on new terms “global citizens”.

So what does the class think?

My students think that it gives them a better visual effect that a textbook of diagram ever could. Any state that they are not just learning it any more they in a way experiencing and living the parts of the activities they become atoms and behavior like gases. This type of technology in a science classroom has the ability and does improve the quality of learning in the classroom environment. In addition, it motivates student to want to learn with vigor and self- satisfaction in the class room.

What does the utilization of virtual reality mean for the future of STEM education.

My mantra, is “I am not just an instructor of science, but a facilitator of lifelong learning.” If we want students to compete, we have to expose them to what is groundbreaking now. These are kids that are going to take science to the next level. Virtual reality and these emerging technologies has the ability transform education as we know it and expand the horizon of our student capability beyond their wildest dreams. Essentially, the used of “VR in Science education, is Endless Possibilities ins World of Limitless Journeys”