Step Into Biology Embraces the 5 Es

Headshot of the author

Hands-on exploration and student-centered learning through the latest AR (Augmented Reality) technology

Middle school science education is a critical stage in a student’s learning journey. Students are introduced to scientific concepts that are foundational for their future academic success. To make science education engaging and effective, educators often rely on a pedagogical framework called the 5Es: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.  

Augmented reality (AR) technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing science education in the classroom. AR involves overlaying digital information on the real world, providing an interactive and immersive experience that can help students better understand complex scientific concepts.    

Step Into Biology’s multiplayer AR app integrates the 5Es into its immersive, virtual field trips by creating exquisite virtual models of scientific phenomena. Let’s take a closer look at our Animal Cell field trip.  

Engage

Engage with Step Into Biology’s Gamified App

Designed for quick adoption, our app requires little setup and uses a gamified interface that is familiar to kids. Right away it piques the students’ interest and curiosity and makes them eager to learn more. 

Explore

Explore an Animal Cell

It takes only one step to find yourself in an immersive world, where the functions of an animal cell are realized down to the cellular level. AR provokes a more interactive, hands-on way that allows for exploration and manipulation. Students can easily visualize abstract concepts like the structure of the mitochondria, or the tiny “factory” of ribosomes, making these complex concepts more tangible and easier to understand.

Explain

Explain and Solidify Learning

There are multiple opportunities for the teacher to explain complex concepts to the students – while they are “in the cell.” Interactivities, pop-ups, and narration of the experience also provide instruction; plus, after-field-trip lesson plans ensure that all aspects of the experience are solidified by having the students explain and demonstrate their understanding of the new terms that were introduced.

Elaborate

The Power to Elaborate

Step into Biology deepens students’ understanding of the field trip topic by helping them elaborate and make connections between different concepts. Opportunities for critical thinking and non-graded practice quizzes ensure that each scientific field trip is supported with additional information and resources that comply with state and NGSS standards.

Evaluate

Evaluate For Instant Feedback

Step Into Biology is a powerful and exciting tool for the classroom, but the proof of its success is measurable in the assessment of the students’ knowledge. The diagnostic tools allow teachers to evaluate students’ understanding at various stages, to ensure a lasting comprehension of scientific concepts.


Seeing Is Believing

Step Into Biology is transforming the 5Es and the way science is taught in middle school and beyond. With unending possibilities, you’ve got to see it to believe it.

Related Posts

Written by
Stewart Roud
Make It Cool, Creative, Collaborative: Designing Educational AR Technology
We caught up with Stewart Roud, creative director at Zoic Labs, for his thoughts on what makes Step Into Biology’s AR interface so compelling.
Written by
Bella Coletta
The Step Into Biology Beat: News and Views from a Classroom Science Teacher
Step Into Biology is grounded by the main principles of the Next Generation Science Standards