PRISM Video: Immersive Chem Lab Project – Using VR for Chemistry Education at DCU.

At PRISM ‘25, Dr. Aoife Morrin, Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at DCU, spoke about the how they’re using VR for Chemistry Education with the Immersive Chem Lab Project (which is a collaboration with Eirmersive member Fourth Reality). The following is a summary of the presentation which can been watched in full below.

Context & Purpose

• Developed through Higher Education Authority funding over 5 years by a consortium of 5 institutes.

• Goal: Innovative delivery of practical laboratory training using digital technologies.

Challenges in Traditional Lab Training

• Safety constraints and tight budgets.

• Growing student numbers with limited resources.

• Labs are resource-heavy and highly procedural, leaving little room for inquiry-based learning.

• Students often have only 6 hours to learn complex instruments and software.

VR Use Case

• Prepare students before physical labs:

  • Familiarise with instruments and software.

  • Increase efficiency and confidence.

  • Enable deeper, inquiry-based learning during actual lab sessions.

• VR environment replicates real lab setup and allows:

  • Interaction with instruments as in real life.

  • Performing sample analysis and generating real-time data.

  • Visualising internal mechanics of instruments.

Student Feedback

• Positive response:

  • Increased familiarity and confidence.

  • Greater efficiency → more time for exploration.

  • Better understanding of chemistry concepts.

  • Enhanced enjoyment → improved learning outcomes.

Future Plans

• Expand immersive modules.

• Use VR as a complement to physical labs and, in some cases, as a replacement where equipment access is limited.