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TechQuest CEP 810 Transcript: Online Science Simulations Part I I: I hear you’ll be talking about online science simulations and their importance to teachers and students. But first, what exactly are online science simulations?

JC: Online science simulations are online computer-generated interactive programs that can represent real or imaginary situations.

I: I see. And why are they special?

JC: Well, how many times have you heard of students that got injured in the lab while conducting an experiment? This has put off a lot of students from experimenting and teachers gradually see a decline in the number of students interested in chemistry these days. I hope that after I’ve presented the benefits of online science simulations, students won’t be intimidated by the risks involved and will become more aware of the procedures to follow in order to avoid accidents.

I: Can you tell us more about your TechQuest on online science simulations?

JC: Well, when I embarked on my TechQuest, I was quite confident I’d find numerous sites about online science simulations, but quite honestly I didn’t expect them to be so many and so great. And as I was doing my research, I realized that on line science simulations had other benefits than just helping students experiment safely. But first, I’d like to describe those simulations that deal with safety in science. The first site I came across was the Virtual Laboratory site that offers marvelous simulations. You can find it at www.virtlab.com/main.aspx. This site provides students with an environment in which they can really experiment safely with acids. I wouldn’t want to imagine what could happen if a student goofed up such an experiment in reality!(laughter) If a student is scared of acids, then this will be the perfect way to motivate them without intimidating them. There are a lot of such sites that ensure students are experimenting safely with dangerous substances.

Part II I: Is danger only present inside the Lab? JC: As a matter of fact, danger exists everywhere, even right now as we’re talking.

(Laughter) But no, you’re right, online science simulations take students out of the world of laboratories and into the open space as well. In one simulation, called the Parachute Man Simulation, students learn how to calculate the dimensions of the canopy and the size of the upper hole so the parachutist can land safely. Here as well we’re dealing with dangerous situations that are a bit different from the ones students face in the lab, but that are nonetheless important to consider.

Created by: Jean-Claude Aura

Date: April 2009

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TechQuest CEP 810 I: Right. And have you had to change the course of your TechQuest at any time?

JC: In a sense yes, I have. As I progressed throughout my TechQuest, I got an important link from a friend of mine who is working on a different TechQuest. That was a really nice twist in the progression of my TechQuest as the link I was sent contains a dozen or so online science simulations conducted by teachers. Although they are not online, they are still science simulations that can be converted to online material by recording and publishing them. It never occurred to me to look for online science simulations by keying in the words ‘safety in science’. So now I have online simulations for teachers who are a bit reluctant to take their students to the lab.

Part III I: Interesting. Before, you said you wanted to talk about online simulations related to safety. Is there another use for online simulations?

JC: Absolutely. There are simulations that offer students opportunities to explore areas inaccessible in real life, such as the microcosm of chemical reactions. These simulations have nothing to do with safety, but they help students understand the dynamics of chemical reactions that are hard to grasp without a visual representation. There’s a very interesting simulation on Salts & Solubility that you can find at www.phet.colorado.edu/simulations under Salts and Solubility.

Another equally interesting simulation that helps students visualize the invisible world of radio waves can be found at www.phet.colorado.edu/simulations under Radio Waves and Electromagnetic Fields. All those simulations give students some insight into worlds they have no access to.

I: What do others think of online simulations?

JC: Quite frankly, I was shocked to read that some teachers are against the use of online simulations, claiming that one day they will take over real lab experiments. I don’t see how, really. All I can say is that safety should be every school’s major concern, regardless of how it is achieved. Online simulations help schools achieve required safety standards without putting students off.

I: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about online science simulations?

JC: Not really. Although my focus was originally on online science simulations that promote safety in the lab, I think that mentioning the other benefits of online simulations is also important. Teachers should be aware that online simulations can be used to draw students’ attention to a reality which they cannot see, such as the invisible world of Radio Waves and the microcosm of chemical reactions.

I: Thank you.

Created by: Jean-Claude Aura

Date: April 2009

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