GEOINQUIRY AND GEOHERITAGE RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION: CAPULIN VOLCANO, NEW MEXICO USA

New technologies increase the access and reach of field-based experiences for the K-16 classroom by enabling the collection of digital landscape elements, and the opportunity to visualize and interact with such data in a built virtual environment. Educators can build virtual field experiences by hosting their instructional resources and digital assets together within an online platform to enable wide dissemination and easy access in the physical classroom. Using GeoEPIC, a Virtual Reality (VR) learning platform, and geoinquiry, the authors transitioned a field trip to Capulin volcano, New Mexico. The virtual learning experience built within a 360-photo sphere immerses the learners in landscapes with the perception of proximity to the Raton-Clayton volcanic field. The addition of imagery and text within information points add contextual learning opportunities found on the landscape. Paired with rich video and digital twin content allows a deeper understanding of physical phenomena placement, and of the processes that form them. A Quick Start Template guides educators in identification of earth system, cultural, and historical topics to integrate geoheritage in their curricula. Combined, the VR lesson and tools provide dynamic geography topics to invigorate the classroom.