STEM VR Game Available Today, Free for Schools and Educators
PITTSBURGH, PA – Schell Games, the developer behind the popular and highly-acclaimed virtual reality game I Expect You To Die, today launched a VR chemistry lab practice game, HoloLAB Champions, on Steam. HoloLAB Champions transports players into a virtual game show where they learn real lab practice skills to complete experiments within a virtual lab. Using chemistry and educational experts for content development and funded in part by a SBIR grant from the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education, HoloLAB Champions was iteratively developed in partnership with students, educators, and RAND Corporation.
In a game show-style setting, HoloLAB Champions guides players through a series of mini-labs that lead up to a final lab challenge. Earl, the holographic host, is a friendly commentator, armed with a fun sense of humor and a few eye-rolling science jokes. The camera-bot, Meyer, is his irreverent sidekick. Players score achievements based on their ability to perform tasks safely and accurately. Those who complete an event are awarded an elemental trophy and can take their place among the famed Hall of Brains. There is also a Practice Mode available, where players can hone their skills to prepare for the main event challenges.
“HoloLAB Champions is important because it teaches students about science and lab safety in an environment that is both educational and engaging,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games. “Virtual reality is still a new and relatively untapped space so we are excited to see it being used in classroom settings. We look forward to gauging its effects on learning outcomes and student engagement in the future.”
As a companion tool to an in-person high school chemistry lab experience, HoloLAB Champions has two, 30 – 40 minute episodes to teach players basic lab skills, procedures, and protocols. The first episode is Chemiluminescence, where students need to mix correct amounts of liquid and solid ingredients to create a glowing chemical solution. The second episode, Identify Unknowns, presents students with a set of substances and, with limited reference information, players must correctly identify each substance.
“Teachers and students expressed a lot of enthusiasm when they tried early prototypes and offered their feedback,” reported John Pane, education technology researcher at the RAND Corporation, whose team served as evaluation partner during the game’s development. “They see HoloLAB Champions as an engaging and inventive way for students to learn the basics of lab practice.”
“With a few exceptions, typical classrooms haven’t changed much since our parents were in school,” said Dr. Brooke Morrill, Director of Education at Schell Games. “As technology becomes more powerful and a larger part of our everyday lives, supporting classrooms in harnessing unique, effective tools to meet the needs of today’s students is essential. With HoloLAB Champions, we are offering an innovative way for students to learn the basics of lab practice while also providing educators with resources for incorporating this game into their classrooms.”
While HoloLAB Champions is a single player game aimed at students aged 14 – 18, it is designed to be used in a group setting in the classroom, with one student playing the game, while observing students are providing assistance and taking notes and a teacher is giving guidance and feedback. Supporting documents such a Classroom Guide will help educators integrate the game into their classroom and guide students through the labs. Teachers who implement HoloLAB Champions will have the added benefit of safety, since they won’t need to worry about spills, breakages, or potential injuries that sometimes occur in real lab settings.
Check Out the HoloLab Champions Steam Trailer:
HoloLAB Champions is free for educational instructors, students, and facilities. For educational copies, please visit the For Educators page at HoloLABChampions.com and submit the requested information.
While HoloLAB Champions has a practical educational purpose, the game can also be enjoyed by VR enthusiasts and people interested in science and chemistry. It is available for $9.99 on Steam with a 20% discount during launch week. The game was designed for use with HTC Vive.
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