Metaverse has ARRIVED at Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School

The Metaverse has arrived at Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School! CRMS is fortunate to have received a grant from VictoryXR, top leader in virtual reality education, for 20 Meta Quest 2 VR headsets. This cutting edge technology launches our students into a world beyond the Chesterfield County classroom into a virtual world of 3D immersive learning.

The initial application allowed 30 students the opportunity to explore the world of VR using the Meta Quest 2 headsets. Using Victory XR VXR.Direct applications participants explored the universe traveling through space on a tour of the Solar System. The Adventures in Space application gave students the chance to pilot a rover. This virtual reality technology allows students to connect the dots with their learning by providing a hands-on experience with narrative information and “out of this world” visuals.

The VXR.Direct applications align with current South Carolina 8th Grade Science standards and were used as an Exit ticket compilation for a CRMS STEM Lab Challenge focusing on the 21st Century Engineering Space Exploration endeavors with an emphasis on a Space Station or Settlement on Mars and the current NASA Artemis Mission to the Moon. This cross-curriculum format allows students to reinforce foundational knowledge and go further to achieve mastery of skills, not just basic facts.

Just a sample of our students comments: “Wow, this is so cool.”, “It’s like I’m floating/flying above the scene.”, “This 360 view lets me zoom in so close or really far away.”,”This is a better way to learn informational facts about our universe instead of just reading a passage in an article or textbook.”, and “This app lets you have a REAL experience being on another planet.”

CRMS is just beginning our journey of integrating this powerful manipulative of 3D immersive learning into the STEM Lab curriculum. We look forward to NOT just exploring our universe through virtual 360 field trips but completing virtual labs and web add ons which empower our students to reach new heights of creativity and innovation. Metaverse education is the education platform of the future. The future potential of this technology expanding throughout our Chesterfield County School District will allow our Chesterfield County students to compete globally for careers of the future!

Published November 28, 2023 Print