Springer and Labster partner to bring students in Germany cutting-edge science education materials
Copenhagen | Heidelberg, 26 November 2018
Today, Springer and Labster announce a partnership that connects traditional textbook material with computer-animated simulations. This collaboration will help to shape the future of science education by changing the way students learn science. The enhanced textbook material is available via Springer’s content platform Springer Nature Link or through purchasing a specific textbook.
With a shared vision to improve science education globally, Springer and Labster have created four concise English-language books for biology in higher education. This textbook format will provide new and improved learning material on the most relevant topics to help students prepare for their exams. The books are designed specifically for the German university curriculum.
Each book chapter covers the basic concepts of a topic, and is followed by a Labster simulation that students can use to reinforce and test their knowledge. Readers are also able to practise the techniques that they have learned with a hands-on lab experience which is simulated through virtual labs using advanced equipment and includes multiple choice questions and 3D animations.
“The partnership between Labster and Springer will allow students to reinforce and apply what they have learned through a combination of Springer’s resources and Labster’s immersive virtual labs. Our virtual labs give students a unique opportunity to step into a laboratory and experiment with cutting-edge equipment. They can explore, test their knowledge, watch 3D animations, do experiments, make mistakes and try again, all within a safe learning environment. We believe that this is the future of science education as it helps students understand the material more effectively, and at the same time engages them on a whole new level,” said Mads Bonde, Labster Co-Founder and CEO.
This collaboration will begin with the launch of the first two Labster-authored books which cover theory in basic genetics and basic biology. In spring 2019, two more textbooks will follow covering theory in basic biochemistry and genetics of human diseases.
Juliane Ritt, Executive Vice President, German Language Science Publishing, Springer: “Today’s students use a greater than ever variety of resources and tools to succeed in their studies; I am very excited about our pilot agreement with Labster, as I am convinced that the smart combination of Springer’s textbook content with Labster’s state-of-the art virtual lab creates an extremely effective and powerful learning environment. This cooperation fits perfectly well to our overall strategy to make learning for students more effective and satisfying by combining the advantages of various digital media with the benefits of traditional textbook content.”
Image: Book cover: Labster Virtual Lab Experiments: Basic Biology | © Springer
Further Information
About Springer
Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R&D departments with quality content through innovative information, products and services. Springer has one of the strongest STM and HSS eBook collections and archives, as well as a comprehensive range of hybrid and open access journals. Springer is part of Springer Nature, a global publisher that serves and supports the research community. Springer Nature aims to advance discovery by publishing robust and insightful science, supporting the development of new areas of research and making ideas and knowledge accessible around the world. As part of Springer Nature, Springer sits alongside other trusted brands like Nature Research, BMC and Palgrave Macmillan. Visit www.springer.com and follow @SpringerNature.
About Labster
Labster is a company dedicated to developing fully interactive advanced laboratory simulations that are designed to stimulate students’ natural curiosity and highlight the connection between science and the real world. Labster works with leading educational institutions around the world to improve science learning, resulting in collaborations with over 150 institutions in 25 countries, including ETH in Zurich, MIT and Imperial College. Labster has also partnered with major publishers and edtech companies, and just recently announced the launch of the world’s first fully online biology degree with Labster VR in partnership with Google and ASU. More information: www.labster.com.
Contact
Melanie Lehnert-Bechle | Springer Nature | Communications
tel +49 6221 487 8122 | melanie.lehnert@springernature.com