Enrich hands-on lab experiences with
virtual simulations
Explore how you can improve student engagement and success with Science Interactive’s virtual simulations.
Virtual simulations aren’t a replacement
for the rich learning of hands-on labs.
But virtual simulations can help students maximize their learning in combination with hands-on labs, and
grasp scientific concepts and phenomena that they can’t observe in the real world.
Help students observe what they can’t in hands-on labs.
From phenomena such as climate change, evolution, and the long-term impact of chemicals on the environment, to grasping abstract concepts such as light rays and radio waves.
Virtual simulations give your students multiple opportunities to engage with concepts that are critical for their learning – but impossible to replicate in hands-on labs.
Help students get the most out of every hands-on lab.
Virtual pre-labs can help students grasp basic lab techniques and safety procedures in a safe, low-stakes environment.
Giving them plenty of time to prepare at their own pace for hands-on labs. So that they gain the confidence they need for their hands-on labs – and can get the most out of every lab course.
Enrich real-world learning with
virtual pre-labs and virtual simulations
Make learning science engaging and accessible for everyone.
With virtual simulations you can:
- Help students grasp what they can’t observe in the lab: from abstract concepts such as light rays and radio waves, to phenomena such as evolution and climate change.
- Let students practice what they’ve learned, in their own time, in a low-stakes environment.
- Make science courses easily accessible to those with different learning styles – and for those who can’t come to campus.
- Reduce the need to purchase or rent expensive scientific equipment and materials for a single lab.
Let students prepare ahead of time,
in their own time.
With virtual pre-labs, students can:
- Conduct trial experiments freely in a low-stakes environment, with no risk to themselves, others, or expensive lab equipment.
- Learn theory, lab procedures, and safety protocols – and gain confidence in applying them.
- Run virtual experiments as many times as they need, increasing their engagement and deepening their understanding of their learning.
- Maximize the productivity and impact of every hands-on or on-campus lab as they’ll be well-prepared ahead of time.
Virtual labs vs. hands-on labs:
What’s right for your online science course?
Explore the differences between virtual and hands-on labs, the benefits of each approach, and how to figure out the best combination of the two for your course.
What Students & Instructors Say
According to 1600+ surveyed for our 2023 Lab Report: The State of Online Science labs
"I highly recommend that my chemistry course add virtual simulations because, as an online student, it would prepare me and my other students for the on-campus lab and make us more familiar with lab safety in reality, how to use equipment and instruments, and avoid chemical hazards."
Student response
"Science Interactive gives me the opportunity to give my online students the same type of hands-on experience that a typical student that's coming to the campus would have. This gives them the hands-on experience they need to ensure their credits are transferable while providing them with the flexibility to do the labs from their own home."
Lauren Kerrigan, Chemistry Instructor,
Bucks County CC
"I really enjoyed taking the course online rather than in person. Science is hard! I do better to learn at my own pace, and re-read things that I didn't understand before going to the next topic."
Student response
"The virtual lab for chemistry was a huge help in getting my work accomplished. I didn't have to worry about cleaning up a mess or being afraid of working with different chemicals and doing something wrong. The virtual lab made it safe to conduct my experiments, and when I did make a mistake, it was easy to start over."
