Virtual Labs

Students 2 Science Debuts Virtual Labs

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 10/14/15

Students 2 Science (S2S), a nonprofit that brings K-12 students to a professional chemistry laboratory for hands-on learning, has launched a Virtual Lab (V-Lab) Program.

The interactive Web-based V-Lab uses Connectivity's iConnect tool to provide inquiry-based and standards-aligned science learning opportunities for students in classrooms and other settings. Content and professional scientist volunteers are provided by the American Chemical Society. Students can ask instructors questions in real time, and Connectivity provides simultaneous interpretation in more than 150 languages.

"Earlier this year, S2S piloted V-Lab in 11 New Jersey K-12 schools, as well as at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)," according to a news release. "Based on its success and expressed demand, S2S's goal is to expand into an additional 10 to 15 schools with roughly 100 sessions, serving more than 2,500 students throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York."

"The Virtual Labs are an excellent opportunity for students to conduct investigations in the classroom and interact with real scientists at the same time," said Kathleen Tierney, principal at Newark Science Park High School, in a prepared statement. "Labs enforce content, and encourage cooperative learning. The experience truly promotes scientific inquiry, which we stress here at Science Park. Students are engaged in meaningful explorations with the content, which exposes them to the multitude of career opportunities in the field of science."

"The V-Lab experience was one the children won't soon forget," said Sarah Donnangelo, coordinator of educational services at HUMC's Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, in a news release. "It brought to them not only the fun and excitement of doing hands-on science experiments with real-live scientists, but also a sense of normalcy to their lives. We plan on hosting a V-Lab again this semester."

More information is available at students2science.org.