At the 22nd International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (STE2025) in Santiago, Chile, the Global Online Laboratory Consortium (GOLC) honored four outstanding submissions from around the world with the 2025 International Online Laboratory Award. Recognized across three specialized categories, the awards highlight excellence in remote, simulated, and immersive educational laboratories that are redefining hands-on learning in engineering and science.
In the category “Remotely Controlled Experiments,”
the award went to MICRO – The Remote Lab for Embedded Systems, submitted by a large interdisciplinary team from University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Germany. This platform enables students to interact with real embedded systems hardware over the internet—enhancing access to critical experimentation in a scalable and pedagogically sound way.
Submitted by: Jakob Czekansky, Diethelm Bienhaus, Justin Sauer, Leon Kraft, Tim-Niclas Ruppert, Jurij Schum, Lars Merke, Vivien Reuter, André Ehret, Kevin Klauser, Maximilian Djubajlo, Alexander Gockel, Tymoteusz Mucha, Luis Philipp Handschuh & Onur Melik Sen (all University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Germany)
In the category “Simulated and Digitally Visualized Experiments,”
the winning entry was the Ultra-concurrent Microscopy Laboratory, developed by researchers from Universidad Estatal a Distancia (Costa Rica), LabsLand Spain, and LabsLand USA. Their system offers an innovative simulation of microscopy experiments, providing learners with realistic, interactive experiences even in resource-limited settings.
Submitted by: María Paula Obando-Víquez, Carlos Arguedas-Matarrita, Fiorella Lizano-Sánchez (Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Costa Rica); Luis Rodríguez-Gil (LabsLand, Spain); Pablo Orduña (LabsLand, USA)
In the category “Virtual and Augmented Reality Experiments,”
first prize was awarded to PEARL – Paderborn Electrical Engineering AR Laboratory, submitted by a team from Universität Paderborn, Germany. PEARL integrates augmented reality to provide intuitive, interactive access to electrical engineering experiments—making abstract concepts more tangible through immersive visualization.
Submitted by: Mesut Alptekin, Daniel Münstermann & Katrin Temmen (all Universität Paderborn, Germany)
The runner-up in the same category was SPEXTRA – Specialized Process Equipment Training Using Extended Reality, created by Magesh Chandramouli from Purdue University Northwest, USA. SPEXTRA showcases the potential of extended reality to simulate complex industrial processes for engineering education and workforce training.
Submitted by: Magesh Chandramouli (Purdue University Northwest, United States of America)
All awards were presented in person during STE2025 under the theme “Smart Technologies for an All-Electric Society.” GOLC, supported by its international selection committee, continues to spotlight excellence in online experimentation and learning environments—pushing the boundaries of accessibility, innovation, and student engagement.
