Ecological Water Quality Simulation Experiment System

Authors: WANG, CHU-HUNG; PENG, FAN-YI; LI, TZ-YING; YANG, MENG-HUA

Company/Institution: Cheng-Shiu University

Country: Taiwan

e-mail: eddie@wiipa.org.tw

web: https://www.wiipa.org.tw/

To support experimental teaching and replace traditional lab equipment, this system was designed with ecological education in mind. In traditional ecosystems teaching, instructors often use the “fish eco-bottle” experiment to help students learn about the carbon and nitrogen cycles by manipulating variables. However, this process is time-consuming, and students struggle to quickly understand the interrelationships between variables, sometimes resulting in harm to living organisms.

This system features the ability to simulate the fish eco-bottle environment, including elements such as fish, aquatic plants, sand, light, and the dynamic relationships involving time, CO2, and pH levels, all presented through a VR interface. One key feature is the ability to manipulate the “time” variable, enabling students to overcome the time constraints of real experiments and accelerate observations. Additionally, students can repeatedly design and test experiments, observing data changes between variables, thereby gaining ample data for analysis and further design thinking opportunities.

Developed using Unity3D and MySQL, this system provides an interactive learning environment, allowing students to explore ecological concepts like the carbon and nitrogen cycles through their own experimental designs and simulations.