International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) Volume: 13 Issue: 02 | Feb 2026
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e-ISSN: 2395-0056 p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Virtual STEM Lab Simulator Khushi Yadav1, Mahek Bhatnagar2, Muskan Motwani3, Prachi Makheja4, Priya Panchpande5 1,2,3,4
Students, Department of Computer Engineering, Vivekanand Education Society’s (Polytechnic), Mumbai, India 5 Lecturer, Department of Computer Engineering, Vivekanand Education Society’s (Polytechnic), Mumbai, India -----------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract - Practical experimentation plays a vital role in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
education by helping students understand theoretical concepts through hands-on experience. However, many educational institutions face challenges such as limited laboratory infrastructure, high equipment costs, safety risks, and restricted access to physical laboratory facilities. These limitations reduce opportunities for repeated practice and effective conceptual understanding. This paper presents the design and development of a Web-Based Virtual STEM Lab Simulator, a digital platform that enables students to perform basic laboratory experiments in a simulated online environment. The system allows learners to observe circuit connections, analyse outputs, and simulate simple chemical reactions and scientific experiments through an interactive interface. The platform is developed using standard web technologies, ensuring accessibility through any modern web browser without requiring specialized hardware or software. The proposed system provides structured experiment modules including aim, theory, formula, procedure, simulation interface, and result visualization. Students can input parameters, observe experiment behaviour, and repeat simulations multiple times for better understanding. By reducing infrastructure dependency and enhancing accessibility, the system serves as a costeffective and scalable solution to support practical learning in STEM education. The Web-Based Virtual STEM Lab Simulator contributes to digital education by supplementing traditional laboratories with an interactive, safe, and flexible learning environment. Key Words: Virtual STEM Lab, Web-Based Laboratory, Online Experiment Simulator, Simulation-Based Learning, Digital Education, Interactive Learning, Virtual Experiments.
1. INTRODUCTION STEM education, which encompasses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, plays a vital role in developing analytical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills among students. Practical experimentation is a core component of STEM learning, as it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. However, traditional laboratory environments often face significant limitations, including high setup and maintenance costs, limited equipment availability, safety risks, and restricted lab hours. These constraints reduce students’ opportunities to perform experiments multiple times and fully understand fundamental concepts. In many institutions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, inadequate laboratory infrastructure prevents effective hands-on learning. Additionally, the rapid growth in student enrollment makes it difficult to provide equal laboratory access to all learners. Physical laboratories also involve recurring expenses related to equipment maintenance, consumable materials, and safety compliance. These challenges highlight the need for a scalable and accessible digital solution to enhance practical STEM education. The proposed Web-Based Virtual STEM Lab Simulator aims to address these challenges by providing an interactive online platform where students can perform simulated experiments anytime and anywhere. The system allows learners to observe circuit connections, analyze outputs, and simulate basic scientific experiments through a structured web interface. By using standard web technologies, the platform ensures ease of access without requiring specialized hardware or complex installations.
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