3-D Astronomy Project Page

Traditional STEM education often relies on 2-D illustrations to depict complex 3-D real-world scenarios, resulting in challenges that hinder comprehensive understanding or misconceptions. The discrepancy between textbook concepts, problem representations, and real-world applications can lead to students' growing frustration and a diminishing motivation to pursue STEM fields, particularly in Astronomy. We are actively engaged in an interdisciplinary project to address these challenges and bridge the gap between conventional teaching methods and the dynamic needs of modern learners. This project is a collaborative effort between prominent institutions, including the UGA Physics & Astronomy Department, College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, and GSU Physics & Astronomy Department. It is led by Dr. Weliweriya and Dr. Song, two scientists/educators with a shared vision for revolutionizing STEM education through 3D simulations.

The primary focus of our project is developing a series of “Scientifically Correct, Immersive, Engaging, Visually Stunning, and Modular” 3-D astronomical simulations. These simulations are designed to enhance students' understanding of fundamental astrophysical concepts. Our vision encompasses about 30 topics where 3D simulations can significantly augment students' comprehension and generate heightened interest. For example, one of our simulations can create an accurate model of the Sun, Earth, and Moon in their orbits, enabling students to simulate solar and lunar eclipses.

Our simulations are adaptable and accessible, catering to various educational settings. Furthermore, these simulations are purpose-built to teach specific astronomical concepts. Once a 3-D model is developed, it can be deployed in multiple representations including traditional VR, augmented reality, 2-D dynamic web simulation, etc. Simulation-related tasks can be assigned as homework or in-class activities. For example, with a simple QR code displayed in the classroom, students can easily engage with these simulations, facilitating a deeper understanding of complex subjects. We are also actively working to integrate augmented reality (AR) capabilities, making these simulations available through smartphones. Our ultimate goal is to develop interactive immersive simulations that can be assigned as practical labs, ensuring a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience. As we proceed with this project, assessing our simulations' effectiveness is paramount. This assessment will encompass several critical factors, including testing students' understanding of concepts, measuring user engagement, collecting valuable user feedback, comparing the efficacy of our simulations with other instructional methods, and evaluating their technical performance. In addition, we will compare different instruction modes (e.g., real-time interaction between instructor and students in the virtual world, passive watching a 3-D movie by students with/without the instructor's audio guidance, students' self-exploratory play with a model, etc.) and assess their effectiveness.

Awe-inspiring high-quality simulations with interactive and intuitive user controls can captivate students allowing them to gain invaluable insights into the related astronomical phenomena. These immersive simulations can enhance students' understanding of the content by improving their ability to visualize the otherwise challenging content (Nooriafshar, Mehryar, & Williams 2004). This approach allows for active and flexible engagement in astronomy education. Engaging more senses in the learning process can enhance the understanding and retention of difficult topics (Shapiro, Lawrence, & Stolz 2019).