Principal Investigator
Dr. Jonathan Bloom and Dr. Paola Rebusco, Experimental Study Group; Prof. John Belcher, Prof. John Winston, and Assistant Prof. Gian Michele Innocenti, Physics; Christian Cardozo, Edgerton Center
Fund:
Education Innovation Funds
Funding Period:
AY2026
Department/Lab/Center:
Experimental Study Group
When studying multivariable & vector calculus and electricity & magnetism, students often struggle to expand their visual and geometric intuition to three dimensions and understand the dynamics and interaction of invisible fields and forces. We propose to develop open-source, scientific visualization software that enriches learning through interactive on-screen, virtual reality, and mixed reality experiences. Initially this effort will focus on mathematics and physics courses commonly taken by first year undergraduates (18.02 / 18.022, 18.03, and 8.02 / 8.022). However, the platform will be adaptable to material in advanced courses and other GIR subjects and designed for a user and developer community across and beyond MIT. The project will be led by faculty and lecturers spanning Math, Physics, and ESG in partnership with the MIT AR/VR club, and piloted in ESG and TEAL.