The shift to online and hybrid learning has exposed critical limitations in existing virtual STEM laboratories, particularly their inability to replicate the hands-on, collaborative experiences essential for deep science learning. Traditional labs provide embodied and communicative interactions that are often absent in current online tools – especially in experiments involving delicate, dangerous, or spatially complex procedures. This project will address that gap by developing immersive virtual reality (VR) laboratory environments that feature realistic avatars and tactile feedback, enabling collaborative learning that mirrors the cognitive and social dynamics of physical labs. By advancing access to high-quality science education, the project supports national goals to enhance health, prosperity, and workforce development. Approximately 500 students and 50 teachers will be directly impacted through outreach and implementation efforts with the aim of equipping learners with the skills necessary for future scientific and technical careers and to increase the overall STEM workforce. The project will investigate how immersive VR laboratories, enhanced with high-fidelity avatars and vibrotactile interfaces, support collaborative science learning. A key research objective will be to examine how variations in avatar visual realism and tactile interactivity influence conceptual understanding, procedural competence, emotional engagement, and collaboration. The central hypothesis