The RAIN Network has been performing outreach at Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in San Fernando, CA over the past year, studying the effectiveness of how a series of RAIN-based active learning labs affects students’ perception and interest in science. Data has shown that using remote instrumentation is an effective way to teach the K-12 STEM student about advanced technologies.
As part of the outreach, Pasadena City College students attend classes and assist with labs. A parent science night was also scheduled, where parents of the K-12 students logged into RAIN and remotely controlled a Scanning Electron microscope at Arizona State University. During the parent night, PCC brought its Microsoft HoloLens to the event and demonstrated how augmented reality can be implemented in teaching science.
It has been a great experience working with Vaughn. We hope that continuing this project for the next five years will show the impact RAIN can have in the classroom over an extended time period.
