The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Exploring Mitosis with Virtual Reality

Exploring Mitosis with Virtual Reality

A 10^th grade STEM lesson

Author

Ellyza Hardin

Date

May 1^st , 2024

​

Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for two-three hours.

​

• Begin with a brief introduction to mitosis and its importance in growth, development, and repair.

​

• Students will be work in a group of 4. They will be answering a paper worksheet as an assessment.

​

​

​

List of Materials

​

​

- VR headsets (e.g., Oculus Quest, Google Cardboard, etc.)

​

- Mitosis VR apps (e.g., The Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell, Cell World)

​

- Interactive whiteboard or projector

​

- Computers or tablets with internet access

​

- Worksheets for note-taking and reflection

​

- Kahoot! for review quiz

Arizona Science Standards

Essential HS.L1U1.20

​

Ask questions and/or make predictions based on observations and evidence to demonstrate how cellular organization, structure, and function allow organisms to maintain homeostasis.

​

Feedback mechanisms maintain a living system’s internal conditions within certain limits and mediate behaviors, allowing it to remain alive and functional

even as external conditions change within some range. Feedback mechanisms can encourage (through positive feedback) or discourage (negative feedback) what is going on inside the living system.

​

HS+B.L1U1.7

​

Develop and use models to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms (plant and animal).

​

​

​

ELA Standards

9-10.SL1

Speaking and Listening Standard

Comprehension and Collaboration

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on- one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Objectives:

Today, I will be able to…

• Understand the stages of mitosis;
• Identify and describe the key events in each stage of mitosis; and
• Use virtual reality (VR) to visualize and experience the process of mitosis in an immersive environment.

Agenda (110-170 minutes)

Day 1

• Introduction (10 minutes)
• Hook: Begin with a brief introduction to mitosis and its importance in growth, development, and repair.
• Discussion: Ask students what they know about cell division and mitosis. Highlight key points and introduce the day's VR activity.

​

• Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
• Presentation: Use an interactive whiteboard to present a detailed explanation of the stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis).
1. Visual Aids: Include diagrams and animations from reliable educational websites.
• Guided Practice with VR (15 minutes)
• Introduction to VR Experience: Explain the VR activity and how to use the VR headsets safely and effectively.

​

Agenda (110-170 minutes)

Day 2

1. VR Exploration (30 minutes)

Students will use VR headsets to explore mitosis through an immersive app like The Body VR or Cell World.

• Instructions: Provide a brief tutorial on how to navigate the VR environment and what to look for in each stage of mitosis.
• Observation: Encourage students to pay close attention to the key events and structures in each stage of mitosis.

Independent Practice

​

​

• Independent Practice

​

• Worksheet: After the VR experience, have students complete a worksheet where they can note down observations and answers to specific questions about each stage of mitosis.
• Reflection: Ask students to write a brief reflection on their VR experience, including any new insights or questions they have about the process.

Important Note

• Note: Ensure that you have tested the VR equipment in advance and that students are familiar with its use.

Review and Assessment �

1. Kahoot! Quiz:

​

• Questions: Include a mix of multiple-choice and true/false questions about the stages and importance of mitosis.

​

Classroom Discussion

-Bring the class together and have each group share their observations.

-Discuss the similarities and differences in their findings.

Exit Ticket

• Ask students to write down one thing they learned and one question they still have about mitosis.

Assessment

• Participation in VR activity and class discussions
• Completion and accuracy of the worksheet
• Performance on Kahoot! quiz
• Quality and creativity of the mitosis comic strip

Homework

• Mitosis Comic Strip: Have students create a comic strip that illustrates the stages of mitosis. They can use digital tools (e.g., Pixton, Canva) or draw by hand and take photos to upload to the class's online platform.

​

​

Differentiation

1. Pre-Teaching Vocabulary: Introduce and review key terms before the VR activity using flashcards, visuals, and interactive activities.
2. Guided Notes: Provide partially completed notes or graphic organizers that guide students through the key points during the presentation and VR activity.
3. Small Group Instruction: Pull small groups for more focused instruction and support during the VR activity. Use simplified explanations and repeat key points.
4. Peer Tutoring: Pair struggling students with peers who can provide support and explanations in a collaborative learning environment.
5. Additional Resources: Offer access to simpler VR apps, videos, and interactive websites that break down mitosis into more manageable parts.

​

​

​

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Extended Exploration: Provide advanced students with additional VR apps or modules that cover more complex aspects of cell division, such as meiosis or the molecular mechanisms involved in mitosis.

Research Projects: Encourage advanced students to research and present on related topics, such as the role of mitosis in cancer, stem cell biology, or genetic disorders related to cell division.

Creative Assignments: Allow students to create their own VR content or animations explaining mitosis, or to write a detailed report on the significance of mitosis in different types of cells.

Discussion and Debate: Facilitate advanced discussions and debates on ethical issues related to cell division, such as cloning and genetic engineering.

Independent Study: Provide opportunities for self-directed learning where students can explore topics of interest related to cell biology and mitosis.