INTEGRATING HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOSPHERES, PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND THE NGSS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES TO MAKE IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCES MEANINGFUL TO STUDENTS AT ANY GRADE LEVEL (Invited Presentation)

Virtual field trips have existed in various formats for many years, but many have been hampered by at least one of the following drawbacks:

• lack of interactivity
• lack of student choice
• low-resolution imagery
• questioning that doesn’t elicit collaborative scientific discourse nor evidence-based argumentation from students.

The Columns of the Giants Immersive Virtual Field Experience (IVFE) was the first attempt at tackling each of the identified shortcomings by integrating photogrammetric 3D models of rock samples into a cohesive set of high-resolution photospheres. Students first freely explore within the IVFE before being led through a series of guiding questions and prompts that promote scientific discourse utilizing the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. When paired with field guides made specifically for the trip, the IVFE questioning facilitates student engagement and learning while trying to solve a geologic mystery.

This presentation will:

1. Demonstrate the methods used to create and implement The Columns of the Giants IVFE.
2. Describe how the NGSS Science and Engineering practices are integrated throughout the IVFE and why they are a key ingredient for student engagement and success.
3. Provide a sampling of the artifacts created by high school and elementary students that participated on the Columns of the Giants Immersive Virtual Field Experience.
4. Discuss improvements and innovations that I am currently working on for future IVFE’s.

The Columns of the Giants IVFE is free to use and can be found at www.sciencefriday.com/photosphere