EXPANDING REALITY AND ENGAGEMENT: DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING VR EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES USING THE ENGAGE PLATFORM

Immersive technologies are continuing to improve and allow educators to more accurately replicate numerous real-world geoscience experiences for students and the public. Here we report on findings from the use of numerous techniques and technologies over the course of the last couple of years from an urban University perspective. These experiences range from teaching classes, labs, summer camps, student research projects, and conducting outreach events all within VR environments. Specifically, we will show how the use of 360 photography combined with VR allows users to explore difficult to access geologic features through the PA CaVRns Project and how the business VR program ENGAGE can be used to easily create numerous Earth Science simulations. This technology immerses learners in new experiences that can defy physical limitations with virtual trips to Mars, the seabed, laboratories, caves, or anywhere else one can imagine. Virtual environments and objects help educators to create specialized lessons which can improve learning retention and class interaction.