Using Extended Reality (XR) to Close Equity Gaps in Laboratory Training

This Research on Emerging Technologies for Teaching and Learning (RETTL) project will develop immersive XR (Extended Reality) and web-based (non-immersive) learning experiences for first-year college students taking chemistry labs. Many undergraduates enter college without prior experience in a chemistry lab because laboratory facilities are unevenly available to high school students throughout the country. These inequities impact the academic preparation for students and can contribute to increased levels of anxiety related to entering a chemistry lab for the first time and exacerbate the lack of persistence in STEM. The Covid-19 pandemic also highlights the need for virtual educational tools that provide comparable experiences for all students. This project examines an innovative introduction to the chemistry lab by applying the use of an existing virtual technology to chemistry education. The study will examine the extent to which Extended Reality (XR) training modules can reinforce conventional lab training, boost knowledge of chemical literacy, and minimize anxiety associated with performing experiments. The project goal is to deliver transformative experiences through XR technology that will positively impact the ability of undergraduates in first-year chemistry courses to engage with and persist in scientific settings.