Middle school science education is a critical stage in a student’s learning journey. Students are introduced to scientific concepts that are foundational for their future academic success. To make science education engaging and effective, educators often rely on a pedagogical framework called the 5Es: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.
Augmented reality (AR) technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing science education in the classroom. AR involves overlaying digital information on the real world, providing an interactive and immersive experience that can help students better understand complex scientific concepts.
Step Into Biology’s multiplayer AR app integrates the 5Es into its immersive, virtual field trips by creating exquisite virtual models of scientific phenomena. Let’s take a closer look at our Animal Cell field trip.
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Designed for quick adoption, our app requires little setup and uses a gamified interface that is familiar to kids. Right away it piques the students’ interest and curiosity and makes them eager to learn more.
It takes only one step to find yourself in an immersive world, where the functions of an animal cell are realized down to the cellular level. AR provokes a more interactive, hands-on way that allows for exploration and manipulation. Students can easily visualize abstract concepts like the structure of the mitochondria, or the tiny “factory” of ribosomes, making these complex concepts more tangible and easier to understand.
There are multiple opportunities for the teacher to explain complex concepts to the students – while they are “in the cell.” Interactivities, pop-ups, and narration of the experience also provide instruction; plus, after-field-trip lesson plans ensure that all aspects of the experience are solidified by having the students explain and demonstrate their understanding of the new terms that were introduced.
Step into Biology deepens students’ understanding of the field trip topic by helping them elaborate and make connections between different concepts. Opportunities for critical thinking and non-graded practice quizzes ensure that each scientific field trip is supported with additional information and resources that comply with state and NGSS standards.
Step Into Biology is a powerful and exciting tool for the classroom, but the proof of its success is measurable in the assessment of the students’ knowledge. The diagnostic tools allow teachers to evaluate students’ understanding at various stages, to ensure a lasting comprehension of scientific concepts.
Step Into Biology is transforming the 5Es and the way science is taught in middle school and beyond. With unending possibilities, you’ve got to see it to believe it.
