ABSTRACT
Imagine launchin g an d catchin g ball s i n a n environmen t wit h neithe r gravity nor friction. Imagine creating and altering electrostatic felds and releasing charged particles to be propelled through those felds. Imagine manipulating atom s an d observin g th e force s create d whe n molecule s bond. Then , a s a gian t ste p further , imagin e bein g abl e t o directl y experience thes e phenomen a b y becomin g a par t o f the m “inside ” a
virtual world : being a bal l a s i t bounces , riding o n a tes t charg e a s i t moves through a n electrostati c feld , o r becoming an atom as i t bonds . These are the kinds of learning activities enabled in the virtual worlds of ScienceSpace. Our research suggests that such immersive, multisensory experiences enhanc e students ’ abilitie s t o conceptualiz e an d integrat e complex, abstract scientifc ideas.
