Explore science labs like no other at Athabasca University

Innovative at-home lab kits, along with week-long, in-person labs, provide access and opportunity for students anywhere, any time

What do science labs look like at an open and online university like AU?

Hands-on experiences are an integral part of learning the science skills that will allow undergraduate science students to thrive in their educational journey—whether that journey leads them to an advanced degree or to a professional role in a laboratory.

With students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world, the Faculty of Science and Technology has created innovative opportunities for students to do science in the comfort of their own homes, or as part of a multi-day, in-person experience at the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in our home community of Athabasca, Alta.

“Our science programs give students hands-on experiences that allow them to apply theories and principles from their courses to real-word experiments, wherever they are,” said science dean Dr. Shauna Zenteno.

Study science at home

Many AU courses allow students to complete rigorous experiments in biology, chemistry, geography, geology, and physics without leaving their own homes.

The team at the laboratory in Athabasca have designed experiments using materials that are either easily accessible household items, or that can be included in lab kits shipped to students anywhere in the world at no charge.

“The benefit of the at-home lab is just being able to apply what you're learning from what you're reading online into more of that hands-on,” Bachelor of Science student Jamie Yendall said. “I find it just deepens that connection that you make between what you're reading and what you're doing.”

Study science in Athabasca

Other AU courses offer in-person science labs, where students spend several days at a laboratory working alongside fellow students and expert instructors. These in-person labs are offered in Athabasca, and in some cases, may be offered at other laboratory facilities in Alberta or elsewhere.

“Being part of a hybrid program has allowed me to acquire knowledge at home and then be able to tie that knowledge to the hands-on experience I need when I come to the university, which I think will really help me in the future when I go to work in the laboratory or try to get a job in this field,” said Bachelor of Science student Zach Horton .

Whether the hands-on experiences are at home or in person, student safety is paramount in the design of all labs at AU.