HoloLAB Champions is an excellent example of what virtual reality can bring to education. Students can safely experiment, play, fail, and succeed in VR in a way they cannot in real life.
Common Sense Education
"...the game flowed pretty smoothly and kept me engaged enough to want to keep going. Which is great news for teachers and parents looking to inspire their students to learn.
VRtheGamers
Although built as an educational tool, HoloLAB Champions also succeeds as a completely new way to experience practical science. It engages the mind as well as dexterity courtesy of challenging measurements, mixing puzzles, and mathematical elements, which should be fun for the science nerd in kids and adults.
Gaming Trends
HoloLAB Champions is an educational VR chemistry simulator developed by Schell Games. Built on the Unity engine for SteamVR, the game places players in a virtual lab where they compete in a game show hosted by holographic characters. The core objective is to complete real-world chemistry lab procedures—such as titration and precision weighing—with accuracy and speed. By gamifying the learning process, the title allows students to "fail safely" in a virtual environment without the risks of chemical spills or broken glassware. It has been highly decorated in the educational sector, winning the Serious Play Gold Award and being named Best AR/VR Education App.
Schell Games
Earl and Meyer (hosts)
Chemistry lab safety
High-accuracy VR object manipulation
step-by-step procedure guidance
Games for Learning/Simulation
How does the "Game Show" format help with learning?
The game show aesthetic—complete with holographic hosts and a scoring system—replaces the dry atmosphere of a traditional textbook lab. By rewarding accuracy, safety, and speed, it creates a "flow state" that keeps students engaged with difficult tasks like calculating molarity or reading a meniscus.
Can students actually learn lab safety in VR?
Yes. The game enforces safety protocols, such as requiring players to wear virtual goggles and handling "broken" equipment correctly. Because it's a simulation, players can experience the consequences of a mistake (like an overflowing beaker or a spilled chemical) without any real-world danger, making it a "fail-safe" training ground.
What specific chemistry skills are covered?
The game features two primary "events":
Chemiluminescence: Focusing on mixing specific amounts of liquids to create a glowing reaction.
Titration: A high-precision exercise involving the slow addition of a solution to determine the concentration of an unknown substance.
Is the game recognized by educators?
Extensively. It has been vetted by Common Sense Education and won multiple awards for Best AR/VR Education App. It is designed to be a "supplemental tool" that prepares students for their physical labs by building muscle memory and conceptual confidence.
What equipment is needed to play?
As a VR title on Steam, it requires a VR-ready PC and a compatible headset (such as an HTC Vive, Valve Index, or Meta Quest via Link).
