**Inspecting 3D Science Models Together in AR Around a Tabletop Cube**A small group—students in a science class, colleagues in a training session, or family members curious about a topic—sits around a table. They have a textbook diagram, a video, or a verbal description of something three-dimensional: a molecule, a cell, an anatomical structure, a historical artifact, or a planetary system. Passing a single screen or trying to picture it from flat images leads to the same friction every time: one person holds the view while others crane their necks or lose the thread. The group wants to examine the object from multiple angles at once, point to specific features, and talk through what they notice without losing the shared reference.One practical XR route uses Merge EDU (accessible via the Merge 3D platform on supported iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Windows devices) together with a Merge Cube (physical or printable paper version) placed on the table. Participants open the Object Viewer or Explorer app, scan or load a shared collection or object via link or QR code, and view the 3D model anchored relative to the cube. They can rotate, zoom, and inspect in AR mode while remaining in the same physical space. A lab or classroom license supports multiple simultaneous devices; individual accounts allow saving and sharing custom collections.**Try this first (estimated 10–20 minutes for a first pass)** Place one Merge Cube (or printed paper cube) in the center of the table. Each participant opens the Merge EDU app or web experience on a phone or tablet, joins via the shared link or QR code for a chosen 3D object or simulation from the library (e.g., a molecule, frog dissection model, or solar system). Everyone points their device camera at the cube so the model appears anchored to it in AR. One person starts by rotating the model to a clear starting view; the others adjust their own devices to match or explore complementary angles. The group names one or two features aloud and notes what becomes visible only when viewed from the side or above.**Why spatial interaction matters here** A flat diagram or even a single rotating 3D view on one screen forces sequential attention. Anchoring the model to a shared physical object on the table lets everyone maintain their own perspective while seeing the same anchored reference point. Depth, scale, and internal relationships become directly observable—how bonds connect in a molecule, how organs sit relative to one another, or how continents align on a globe—without mental translation from 2D. Discussion flows naturally because participants can gesture toward parts of the real cube and the overlaid model simultaneously.**Setup and one coherent route** - Devices: Recent phones or tablets running ARKit or ARCore (most current iOS and many Android devices qualify); optional Merge Cube for tactile anchoring. - Access: Free basic exploration is available; paid Classroom, School, or Lab licenses provide broader libraries, sharing tools, quizzes, and simultaneous device support. Check the Merge EDU dashboard or support pages for current licensing details in your region. - Content: Start with built-in science simulations or the Object Viewer library. Teachers or group leaders can create and share custom collections. **Proposed steps** 1. The facilitator shares a specific collection or object link/QR code in advance or at the start. 2. Everyone scans the cube and loads the model. 3. The group agrees on a focus question (e.g., “How does this structure change when viewed from below?” or “Which features explain its function?”). 4. Participants explore independently for 2–3 minutes, then take turns describing or demonstrating a detail while others replicate the view on their devices. 5. End by having one person summarize the key observation the group reached. A common stumbling point is alignment drift or one device losing tracking. Recovery: briefly lift and re-scan the cube, or switch one device to 3D/hand-tracking mode (available in the platform) while others stay in AR; the shared physical cube keeps everyone oriented.**Lower-commitment adaptation** If only one or two devices are available, use the cube as a single shared anchor and pass devices around while the rest of the group watches the live view on a larger screen or describes what they see. The core spatial benefit remains, just with more verbal coordination.**Natural endpoint** The group reaches a shared description or decision about the model (e.g., “The active site is accessible only from this angle” or “This artifact’s proportions suggest it was handheld”). They close the apps, note one thing that was clearer in AR than in prior materials, and one friction (such as tracking or device positioning) that affected the session.**Next step** Choose a different object from the same collection or a new topic area and repeat with the same cube and sharing method, focusing on whatever the first session left unclear.Have you ever tried showing a 3D concept to a group using only photos or a single screen—what made the biggest difference in understanding?