The new year offers a great opportunity to set goals and make plans for personal growth and development. One excellent area to focus on is strengthening your skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Virtual labs and advanced tests are fantastic tools to help you start the year strong with STEM.
Virtual STEM Labs Offer Flexible and Engaging Learning
Virtual labs allow you to conduct experiments and explore concepts in STEM subjects through simulations on a computer. These labs provide an array of benefits:
- Flexibility - Virtual labs can be done anytime, anywhere there is an internet connection. No specialized equipment is needed.
- Interactivity - Virtual labs allow you to actively test concepts instead of passively reading. This enhances engagement and learning.
- Variety - There are virtual labs available covering diverse STEM subjects and difficulty levels. You can always find new labs to explore.
- Safety - Simulated labs avoid the risks and prep work of in-person labs with chemicals or specialized equipment.
- Cost - Virtual labs are often free or low-cost, increasing accessibility.
Here are some ideas to help you get started with virtual STEM labs this year:
- General science - Try a virtual lab on basic biology, chemistry or physics principles.
- Engineering - Use interactive labs to test programming concepts, robotics controls or digital circuits.
- Cutting edge science - Explore modern fields like biotech, nanotechnology or genetics through stimulating virtual labs.
- AP/IB exams - Prepare for advanced exams with challenging virtual labs that align to the curriculum.
Advanced Tests Allow You to Benchmark and Progress
Standardized tests focused on STEM subjects can provide excellent insight into your current skills and knowledge. They also help benchmark future progress. Reasons to take an advanced STEM test this year include:
- Gauge current abilities - Use test performance to objectively measure your skills against national averages for your age and grade level.
- Identify strengths & weaknesses - Detailed score reports highlight areas where your skills excel or need work. This allows tailored improvement.
- Prepare for exams - Build familiarity with the content, format and timing for important exams like AP tests or college placement tests.
- Measure growth - Retaking the same test after study and practice demonstrates concrete learning gains over time.
Some recommendations for getting started with advanced testing this year:
- AP exam prep - Take a practice test for an AP subject you are planning to take to set a benchmark.
- STEM diagnostic - Try a broad test with questions across science, math, engineering and tech subjects to identify strengths/gaps.
- College placement practice - Even if you are not applying soon, take a placement style test for insight.
- Track progress - Retake the same tests throughout the year to quantify and demonstrate growth.
Tips for Maximizing Virtual Labs and Advanced Tests
Here are some key tips to help maximize what you get out of virtual labs and advanced tests:
For virtual labs:
- Take notes about procedures, data gathered, and conclusions
- Vary experimental conditions to observe and record the differences
- Screenshot important parts of the simulations
- Think critically about the principles being demonstrated
For advanced tests:
- Carefully review score reports after testing
- Note content areas where more focus is needed
- Link weak areas back to textbooks/classes for review
- Re-take practice tests after study to quantify gains
Options for Accessing Virtual Labs and Advanced Tests
Many free or low-cost options are available for accessing virtual STEM labs and advanced tests online. Here are a few places to consider checking out:
Virtual Labs
- PhET Interactive Simulations
- LabXchange
- Virtual Chemistry and Simulations Laboratory
- Biointeractive from HHMI
Advanced Testing
- Khan Academy Diagnostic Quizzes
- Practice tests from testing companies
- Advanced Placement (AP) released exam questions
There are also excellent virtual lab platforms and advanced testing batteries available from various education technology providers, often with enhanced features to facilitate flexible blended or distance learning.
Start Your Year Strong with STEM
Starting the year off with virtual labs and advanced tests can set you up for success developing in-demand STEM skills. These tools make it easy to flexibly engage with interactive content that benchmarks abilities and quantifies progress over time. Make this the year you leap forward with STEM proficiency!
Mentis Sciences is an award-winning education technology provider offering a leading adaptive learning platform with diverse virtual labs, assessments and analytics. Their solutions are used by top universities and companies around the world to power personalized STEM teaching and learning.
