What is NOMR?
NOMR (Novel Observations in Mixed Reality) is an augmented reality application used in the UW Introductory Physics Lab curriculum.
In NOMR, students are presented with fictitious particles and challenged to develop a mathematical model explaining their interactions.
Students work together, typically in teams of 4, to gather data and build an understanding of how these particles interact. The only correct answers are the ones the students can make the best case for, based on the data they collect.
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The focus is on developing experimental skills and an authentic, hands-on understanding of how science works.
Learning outcomes for scientific model development have been significantly increased, and there is no risk of confirmation bias in the virtual lab experiments.
Currently over 1800 students from across campus use the NOMR app each year as part of their Intro Physics lab course.
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An image of a group of students using NOMR in a lab setting (1).
An image of a group of students using NOMR in a lab setting (2).
An image of charge tool being used.
An image of the NOMR tutorial pane showing instructions to the lab.
An image of an experimental setup with two charged particles and a force meter.
An image of cutout of controller pointing at an anchored particle.
A video of demonstrating the NOMR simulation space.