IMRE Lab

Immersive Mathematics in Rendered Environments

A photo of a student wearing a virtual reality headset.

About

The Immersive Mathematics in Rendered Environments (IMRE) Laboratory, directed and operated by Dr. Justin Dimmel, is a part of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine. The IMRE Lab designs math and science learning environments. Our mission is to investigate how virtual and augmented reality technologies can transform STEM education. Our vision is a world where all students have access to educational experiences that will deepen their interest in mathematical and scientific thinking.

Journal Articles:

Bock, C. & Dimmel, J. (2020) Digital Representations without Physical Analogues: a Study of Body-Based Interactions with an Apparently Unbounded Spatial Diagram. Digit Exp Math Educ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-020-00078-0
Dimmel, J., Pandiscio, E. & Bock, C. (2020) The Geometry of Movement: Encounters with Spatial Inscriptions for Making and Exploring Mathematical Figures. Digit Exp Math Educ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-020-00078-0

Book Chapters:

Dimmel J., Bock C. (2019) Dynamic Mathematical Figures with Immersive Spatial Displays: The Case of Handwaver. In: Aldon G., Trgalová J. (eds) Technology in Mathematics Teaching. Mathematics Education in the Digital Era, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19741-4_5

More on ResearchGate

Theses and Dissertations:

Bock, C. (2019) Masters Thesis. Pre-service Elementary Teachers’ Use of Spatial Diagrams: Investigations of Unbounded Shearing on Solid Figures

Geometry of Starlight in Aframe [Active Development]

We are working to develop a set of interactions between a globe and parallel rays of starlight in aframe, to be deployed via WebXR. More information at GitLab:

CindyXR Interactions [Active Development]

We are working to develop a set of spatial interactions for the WebXR implementation of the Cinderella Dynamic Geometry Software. More information at GitLab:

HandWaver [Archived]

HandWaver is a gesture-based virtual mathematical making environment where learners at all levels can use their hands to act on mathematical figures directly, without mediating their intuitions through equations, keyboards, or mouse movements. HandWaver combines aspects of dynamic geometry in virtual reality with new modes of building mathematical objects, such as the ability to use one’s hands to stretch objects between dimensions; e.g., points can be stretched into line segments, segments can be stretched into plane figures, and plane figures can be stretched into solids.

HandWaver allows learners to make, modify, measure, and explore mathematical objects in a virtual three dimensional space. We developed HandWaver to increase access to meaningful mathematical experiences for all learners. HandWaver is available for download at www.HandWaver.org (note: requires room-scale HTC Vive with head-mounted Leap Motion control).

Source available on GitLab:

College of Education and Human Development

Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center)