Alcorn State University has been awarded a $398,619 grant from the National Science Foundation to transform undergraduate STEM education through cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology and interactive teaching methods.
The three-year project, titled “Targeted Infusion Project: Elevate Learning with Interactive Technology Enhancements (ELITE) in STEM at Alcorn State University,” begins Aug. 15 under the direction of Dr. Hua-Jun Fan, professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Physics.
Funding comes from NSF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program. The program supports the creation and implementation of innovative, evidence-based models to improve undergraduate STEM education and student success.
This project will introduce immersive VR chemistry labs that allow students to interact with 3D molecular structures, simulate chemical reactions, and explore complex concepts in hands-on virtual settings.
“The vision of the ELITE project is to transform STEM education at Alcorn State University by integrating immersive technologies and evidence-based teaching strategies,” said Fan. “The goal is to enhance student engagement, improve conceptual understanding in chemistry. Evidence has demonstrated [that] such technology can increase retention in STEM fields.”
Tools such as Pygauss software will be integrated to enhance interactivity, along with AI-driven content creation and gamified learning features to support both teaching and student engagement.
The technology aims to better prepare Alcorn students for graduate studies and STEM careers by providing cutting-edge learning tools that build essential technical and analytical skills.
“By engaging with complex chemistry concepts in an interactive and accessible approach, students can gain confidence, deepen their understanding, and be better prepared for graduate-level work or industry roles,” said Fan. “Faculty training will also ensure high-quality instruction aligned with workforce needs.”
The project is designed to modernize Alcorn’s STEM curriculum, increase student success and retention, and expand access to innovative teaching methods across departments.
“By building faculty capacity and sharing VR resources openly, the project will serve as a model for technology-enhanced learning in rural and remote communities,” said Fan. “Ultimately, the project will strengthen the university’s role in preparing a strong STEM workforce.”
