Improving Science Education through Augmented Reality
- UM Research
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
ChM Wan Nurhidayah Binti A Karim
Foundation Lecturer, Centre for Foundation Studies in Science
Area of Expertise:
Chemistry > Augmented Reality > Immersive Learning>Education
Making the invisible visible, the abstract understandable, and learning truly engaging
Madam ChM Wan Nurhidayah Binti A Karim has been selected as a finalist by the Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT) for the Anugerah Khas AKRI 2025. Her project, ARChem, was chosen under the Immersive Learning category, and she presented it to the panel on September 3, 2025.
This recognition highlights the transformative potential of augmented reality (AR) in addressing challenges of engagement and visualization in large classrooms.
Transforming Chemistry Education
At the core of her research is ARChem, an augmented reality tool for Enhanced Visualisation and Understanding of atomic structures in Chemistry Education. This pioneering platform brings the unseen world of atoms and molecules to life, enabling students to explore nuclear structures in interactive 3D environments.
The result is deeper comprehension, improved recall, and heightened engagement—outcomes particularly valuable in large and diverse learning settings.
A Vision with Purpose
Madam Wan Nurhidayah believes that education should not simply deliver information but rather ignite curiosity and inspire lasting understanding.
“I believe education should not just deliver information but it should also ignite curiosity and create lasting understanding,” she notes.
ARChem reflects this philosophy. More than a tool, it represents her vision of an inclusive, inventive, and future-ready education, where technology enhances learning and ensures that no student is left behind.
“I believe education should not just deliver information but it should also ignite curiosity and create lasting understanding.”- says ChM Wan Nurhidayah.
Beyond the Classroom
While developed for chemistry, ARChem’s applications extend far beyond the realm of science education. Its adaptable AR framework shows promise in medical training, patient education, and healthcare visualization. For instance, it could model complex medical procedures for trainees or create interactive resources that help patients understand their conditions.
With institutional backing, ARChem has undergone prototype testing and early adoption, producing encouraging results and demonstrating its potential as a scalable educational innovation.
“This is just the beginning,” she affirms. “If ARChem can help students see what was once invisible, it can also help professionals, patients, and communities make sense of complexity in their own fields.”
Guided by Values, Aligned with Global Goals
Her research is driven by innovation, accessibility, collaboration, and ethical design. She maintains that technology must serve a greater purpose: to democratize knowledge and create equitable opportunities for all learners.
This mission is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), ensuring that her work contributes not only to education but also to building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready learning ecosystems.
In essence, ARChem is more than technological innovation—it is a vision for the future of education. Through her work, Madam ChM Wan Nurhidayah Binti A Karim is transforming the way science is taught, making learning more engaging, accessible, and profoundly impactful.
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Researcher featured:
ChM Wan Nurhidayah Binti A Karim
Foundation Lecturer, Centre for Foundation Studies in Science
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03- 79672383
Author:
Ms Tan Wei Nie
With a keen interest, Tan Wei Nie, a PhD candidate in law, enriches her studies by fusing science with narrative, uncovering connections between the two fields. Her passion for nature and staying active fuels her enthusiasm for life and learning, infusing her journey with unexpected thrills and excitement.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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