Usually students have misconceptions on the microscopic structure and behaviour of matter. In order to overcome these difficulties computer-based worlds seem useful to visualize physical and chemical processes allowing for a better conceptualunderstanding. Since more 3-D virtual environments need to be explored and evaluatedin science education, we have built a 3-D virtual environment – “Virtual Water” – tosupport the learning of Physics and Chemistry at the final high school and first-yearuniversity levels. It is centered in the microscopic structure of water and exploresconcepts related to water phases and the transitions between them.Usually students have misconceptions on the microscopic structure and behaviour of matter. In order to overcome these difficulties computer-based worlds seem useful to visualize physical and chemical processes allowing for a better conceptualunderstanding. Since more 3-D virtual environments need to be explored and evaluatedin science education, we have built a 3-D virtual environment – “Virtual Water” – tosupport the learning of Physics and Chemistry at the final high school and first-yearuniversity levels. It is centered in the microscopic structure of water and exploresconcepts related to water phases and the transitions between them
