Three things teachers love about miniPCR Digital Labs
Science education is all about helping students engage with complex concepts in ways that are meaningful and memorable. For many teachers, miniPCR Digital has become a valuable tool for making that happen, whether students have access to a full lab or are learning remotely.
Since launching our first Digital Lab, we’ve collected feedback from countless teachers around the country. Here are three things they tell us they love most:
1. Built-in comprehension checks keep students on track
Every miniPCR Digital Lab includes interspersed assessment questions designed to check understanding as students go. These autograded questions provide immediate feedback, guiding learning and addressing misconceptions before they have a chance to take root.
“The regular comprehension checks help the kids know what they don’t understand so they can ask for help.”
— Deanna Engler, West Shore Junior/Senior High School in Melbourne, FL
By prompting students to reflect on what they’ve learned, these questions turn passive watching into active thinking, and make it easier for teachers to step in with support when it’s needed most.
2. Videos and visuals bring biology to life
Animations, videos, and interactive graphics are woven into each Digital Lab, helping students visualize complex molecular processes and connect the dots more easily. This multimedia approach allows students to engage with the material in dynamic ways that a textbook alone can’t provide.
“The video and visual components of the Digital Lab were extremely helpful for students and allowed me to reimagine the sequence I teach Unit 6 in AP Biology for next year.”
— Erin Magliozzi, Memphis Rise Academy, Memphis, TN
Seeing processes in action helps students grasp difficult concepts, and gives teachers new opportunities to rethink their teaching approach.
3. No lab? No problem.
We designed miniPCR Digital Lab Simulations to be as accessible as possible. Whether your classroom has a full set of lab equipment or none at all, your students can still engage with biology in a meaningful way.
“I like how accessible they are to classrooms that do not have access to the physical lab equipment!”
— A high school teacher from Illinois
Because they’re entirely online, Lab Simulations are also perfect as make-up labs for absent students or even for remote learning days like snow days or school closures. They give students a way to stay caught up without missing out on key lab content.
Whether you’re teaching AP Biology, general bio, or looking for ways to extend your students’ learning beyond the textbook, miniPCR Digital was built with your classroom in mind. Your feedback helps us refine these tools, ensuring that teachers have everything they need to support student success. Get started with miniPCR Digital today and let us know what you think!
