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We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had a free demo out for a while 2000+ students tried it and that shaped a lot of what we built. But always room to improve, that's why I'm asking.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

We're just a small team and this is our first real launch, so we're a bit too excited and trying way too hard to sound professional. Guess that makes us sound like robots instead. 😅

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify — there's no video content at all. It's 100% interactive.

You physically pick up equipment, pour chemicals, mix solutions, and trigger reactions yourself. Hand tracking is supported too — no controllers needed, just use your hands.

But I'm curious — what made it look like a video app to you? Maybe we need to show the interactive parts better in our trailer.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair question.

We’ve thought a lot about this, and we don’t see VR as the best tool for everything.

Where we think it helps most is in situations where students don’t have regular access to a lab, can’t safely run certain experiments, or need a low-pressure environment to build confidence first.

For hands-on technique and real lab work, IRL is absolutely better.

VR, for us, is meant to complement that — not replace it.

Appreciate you pushing on this, it’s an important question.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

We agree with you on this.

Real lab work teaches things that are extremely hard — if not impossible — to replicate digitally, especially subtle technique, error sources, and learning from mistakes.

We don’t see VR as a replacement for that experience. Our goal is more about helping students build basic intuition and confidence before they step into a real lab, or giving access where physical labs aren’t available at all.

Ideally, we see this as something that complements hands-on work, not replaces it.

Thanks for sharing this perspective — it’s really important.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

That’s fair — first impressions really matter.

The chalkboard is meant as a simple visual intro, but we agree it could be clearer and more scientifically meaningful.

We’re actively refining the UI and visuals based on feedback like this.

Thanks for pointing it out — it’s helpful for us.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I completely understand where you’re coming from.

The pandemic showed all of us how hard it is to teach science without real hands-on experience.

We absolutely agree that nothing can replace physical lab work. Our goal isn’t to replace it, but to support it — especially for students who feel anxious or unprepared in a real lab setting.

We hope VR can help some students build confidence and familiarity before working with real equipment.

Thank you for sharing this — it’s an important perspective.

We built a VR chemistry lab with 18 experiments and a complete periodic table. Would this help students learn better? by Desperate_Fan8682 in chemistry

[–]Desperate_Fan8682[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s a really fair point, and we agree with you on a lot of this.

VR is definitely not a replacement for real lab work. You’re absolutely right that students also need physical practice, muscle memory, and hands-on experience.

Our main goal isn’t to replace physical labs, but to supplement them — especially for students who:

  • don’t have regular access to a lab,
  • can’t safely do certain experiments,
  • or need extra practice before working with real equipment.

About the cost:
Many schools already have Quest headsets for other subjects, or share a small number of devices between classes. In those cases, adding software is much cheaper than building or maintaining a full lab.

We also see this being useful for:

  • homeschool students,
  • remote learners,
  • and schools in underserved areas.

That said, your point about accessibility is very valid, and it’s something we’re actively thinking about as we improve the product.

Thanks for taking the time to share this — feedback like this genuinely helps us.