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Science Advancements At Elwood-John Glenn High School

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Augmented reality, or AR, technology has made a simulated “splash” in science classrooms at Elwood-John H. Glenn High School. The newest addition, known as an Augmented Reality Sandbox, combines 3D visualization with hands-on activities to teach earth science concepts.

The sandbox — developed by the UC Davis’ W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences — allows students to create topography models by shaping sand, which is then augmented in real-time using an Xbox Kinect. The system teaches geographic, geologic and hydrologic concepts such as how to read a topography map, the meaning of contour lines, watersheds, catchment areas and levees.

But, the sandbox, which was purchased with grant monies supplied by the Elwood Education Endowment, isn’t the only new educational tool at John Glenn. Recently, students have also been experimenting with a gravity table, built by the district’s technology department using PVC piping, binder clips and a large spandex sheet. 

The table demonstrates physical laws of motion, gravity, friction and even helps students understand orbits in the solar system, according to John Glenn High School science teacher Richard Greening.