Classroom
MEKALUMI in the classroom
One computer and a big screen are enough: the teacher runs a virtual experiment, the class predicts, watches and explains, and then students try it themselves.
The lab is not publicly available yet, and its classroom mode is being prepared for release. The lesson below shows how MEKALUMI is meant to be used in class.
What you need
- One school computer with a web browser
- A projector, a large screen or an interactive whiteboard
- Students’ own devices are optional: they can repeat the experiment later, at school or at home
No physical kits needed
Motors, sensors, circuits and beams are virtual, so a class can experiment without buying, sharing or repairing equipment. If the school does have real kits, the virtual experiment is a safe rehearsal before the real one.
A lesson in seven steps
The whole class works with one virtual model on the big screen.
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Choose an area
The teacher picks one of the 12 engineering areas that fits the topic of the day.
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Open an experiment
An experiment from a lesson appears on the big screen for everyone to see.
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Collect predictions
Students suggest what will happen and why. The teacher writes the guesses on the board.
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Change the model
The teacher, or a student at the interactive whiteboard, changes one thing in the virtual model.
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Watch the results
The class watches the simulation and reads the calculated results together.
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Explain the mistakes
Students compare the results with their predictions and explain what they got wrong, and why.
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Try it yourselves
Students repeat the experiment on their own or in small groups and try to improve the design.
Made to be watched together
On a large screen the whole class sees the same model at the same time. Mistakes cost nothing, so the class can try a bold idea, see it fail and learn from it.
What classroom use does not need
- No accounts for students or for the school
- No network connection between students’ devices
- No online grading: the discussion happens in the classroom