Module 5Exploring STEM in the real

world: Virtual visits to research centres

Enrique Barra AriasTechnical University of Madrid

ICT and e-learning expert

IndexHow to introduce virtual visits in the

classroomStepsTechnology issuesBarriersMotivating and engaging3 virtual visits:

◦Doñana National Park◦BIFI◦Nanotechnology centre

How to introduce virtual visits in the classroom

As virtual excursions◦ Replacement of the traditional excursion◦ Before the traditional excursion◦ After the traditional excursion

Carry out certain experiments

Receive an expert presentation

Use digital resources with explanations

Prepare for practical lessons, problems

Practice a foreign language

Career counseling

Steps to introduce virtual visits in the classroom

Check that you have ICT and it works

Decide what is your purpose/objective for the visit

Search for research centers that fit that purpose

Contact them

Schedule the visit

Tell the students and prepare it with dedication

Technology issuesVideoconference platform

◦ Webex - http://www.webex.com/◦ Google Hangouts - http://www.google.com/hangouts◦ MashMe.tv - www.mashme.tv

Bandwidth◦ 1MB/2MB (Up/Down)

Audiovisuals◦ Webcam◦ Microphone◦ Loudspeakers, Headphones

Computer/Laptop

Barriers for virtual visitsAvailability of experts

Scheduling

Language

Integration in the lessons plan

Technology◦ Videoconferencing tool◦ ICT in the school

Motivating and engaging Set expectations and use them

Take the needed time to fully prepare the visit with your students ◦ study background concepts in advance

◦ explain real applications of these concepts

◦ Students should have questions ready

Visit facilitator

Make them participant/active◦ Good proyection and audio

◦ Compulsory questions

 Visit summary and evaluation 

Doñana National ParkDoñana in a minute

STEM area: Science

Researchers: Ramon Soriguer, Rafa Guitart

What we will see: ◦ Live webcams of the park (Iberian lynxes,

marshlands, …)◦ 360º photographs of the ecosystems in the park◦ HORUS project – monitoring a colony of Lesser

Kestrel birds

BIFIBIFI: Institute for Biocomputation and

Physics of Complex Systems

STEM Area: Science and Technology

Researcher: Fermín Galán

What we will see:◦ Experiments and applications of citizen science◦ Datacenters and how they monitor them live◦ The biotechnology laboratory working with

human stem cells

Nanotechnology centreLocated at UCAM

STEM area: Science, Technology and Engineering

Researcher: Harry Beeson

What we will see:◦ A virtual visit to the research facilities◦ The scientists daily life◦ Some experiments taking place at the centre◦ How they use the Scanning Electron Microscope

Enjoy yourvirtual visits!

One last recommendation