The OpenScience Laboratory

An initiative of The Open University and The Wolfson Foundation

This online laboratory brings interactive practical science to students anywhere and anytime the internet is available. The laboratory features investigations based on on-screen instruments, remote access experiments and virtual scenarios using real data. Several activities are available to all, while others are available only to registered users.

Come in and look around.

Lab tour

If you close this box, you can still see it at any time by clicking About from the main header above.

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Popular experiments

  • Maps and landforms

    Subject Env Earth

    Learn how to interpret maps and how to use a compass.

    Time required 1 hour
    Open to the public

  • Treezilla

    Subject Env Bio

    Map and record Britain's trees using Citizen Science.

    Time required 30 mins or more
    Open to the public

  • OEL Video Test

    Subject Eng

    Welcome to the video test for the OpenEngineering Lab. This is designed to check that your computer/tablet and network combination can successfully connect to the resources in the laboratory.

    Time required
    Open to the public

All experiments (filtered; page 1 of 5)

  • Optical Microscope

    Subject Gen Bio Earth Env Mat

    Remote access to microscope ready loaded with a wide variety of slides.

    Time required 5 min - 1 h
    Open to the public

  • DNA quantitation

    Subject Bio Chem

    Spectrometry, micropipette, dilutions, quantitation, quality checks, controls.

    Time required 2 hours
    Open to the public

  • Hominid skull evolution

    Subject Bio Earth Env

    Explore the features of a collection of hominid skulls and take measurements that will enable you to determine the evolutionary relationships between them, investigating the march of bipedalism through the fossil record.

    Time required
    Open to the public

  • Leaf Structure as Environment Indicator

    Subject Env Bio

    Microscopic study of leaf structure relating to environment

    Time required
    Open to the public

  • Astronomy with an online telescope (Badged Course)

    Subject Astro Phys

    Details for Astronomy with an online telescope Badged Course users.

    Time required
    Open to the public

  • The Digital Geology Kit

    Subject Earth Env

    View mineral, rock and fossil specimens in high-quality images and videos.

    Time required 10 min - 10 h
    Open to the public

  • Spirometer

    Subject Health Bio

    Use the spirometer to investigate the impact of smoking on lung function.

    Time required
    Open to the public

  • Sorting out soils

    Subject Env Bio Chem

    Examine the physical and chemical characteristics of soil.

    Time required 2.5 hours
    Open to the public

  • Introducing Baxter

    Subject Robo Eng
    Time required 55 minutes
    Open to the public
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