Phases

iSci: Interactive Technologies for Science Immersion consists of three phases:

1. Create an immersive environment in which students can interact with physically realistic simulations of molecules and chemical reactions.

2. Create transition scenes (cut, or context scenes), which connect a commonplace situation in which a specific chemical reaction is occurring to the microscopic immersive environment in which the molecular interactions are simulated.

3. Test the effectiveness of these modules in an educational environment.

The proof of concept includes a computer and projection screen showing animated, 3D models of specific atoms or molecules. Context transitions begin by showing an animated sequence relating to a particular molecule and the way students interact with it in everyday life. Several different scenarios are provided that lead to the same interactive chemical situation, like portals from the regular world to the world of molecular chemical interaction. One initial animated sequence for a water molecule will show a chemist filling a beaker with distilled water. As the chemist moves away to use the sample, the screen will zoom in on a drop of water left hanging from the dispenser’s nozzle, zooming in further, with a blur of motion, until the molecule comes into view, along with the dashboard of tools for manipulating the object.