Learning Outcomes

Science simulations have proven themselves a potent tool for helping programs boost student success in STEM.

That’s because virtual labs diversify pedagogy with active learning experiences that target the roots of STEM attrition. Discover how simulations are empowering programs to boost test scores and prepare students for long-term academic success.

Knowledge Gaps Compound Into Spirals of Attrition

Knowledge gaps in STEM start early and compound into subpar outcomes. In the United States, research on college-bound high school students found that only 20% are ready for courses typically required for a STEM major(1).

Student performance can lag due to a myriad of factors, from under-resourced programs to mental health issues, but once students fall behind, it’s easy for them to disengage as success drifts beyond their reach. In fact, 52% of adults in the U.S. say they did not pursue a STEM degree because the subjects are too difficult to learn (2).

Reversing this pernicious cycle requires not only reinforcing STEM curriculums, but tools to rekindle student motivation and confidence.

Programs Are Turning the Tide With Active Learning

While traditional pedagogical approaches are not going anywhere, research has shown that passive methodology has its limitations. “Teaching by telling” not only imposes an undue burden on lecturing to reach diverse populations with varied levels of subject proficiency, but can sideline students from the opportunity to develop their own frameworks for understanding sophisticated material.

Active learning methods, by contrast, require students to problem solve and engage with knowledge on their own terms. Their actions and curiosity inform the pace of learning, sparking their intrinsic motivation to reach the logical end of their inquisitions.

While active learning is not a panacea to challenges in the STEM classroom, it is a critical pillar to outcome-focused strategies. Results indicate that average exam scores improved by about 6% in active learning sections, and that students in classes with only traditional lecturing were 1.5 times more likely to fail than students in classes with active learning (4).

Improve Learning Outcomes

Virtual labs are proven to boost test scores, especially for students with limited prior knowledge. They make learning accessible by representing theory visually and grounding scientific concepts within relatable scenarios.

Simulations ask students to apply knowledge as they go, and to problem solve through true-to-life interactions. Students advance at their desired pace, and can try simulations as many times as they need to master concepts according to their proficiency level.

The cumulative effect is that programs can more easily backfill learning gaps and instill confidence in at-risk students. By bringing scientific concepts to life outside of the classroom, STEM courses can reinvigorate crucial time with educators and peers alike, compounding into cycles of success rather than cycles of attrition.

References

(3) Schechter, R., Chase, P., Shivaram, A. (2023). Virtual Labs Boost STEM Success: Insights from Contemporary Science Courses in Higher Education.