T45 Augmented and Virtual Reality in Geoscience Education

Sunday, 22 October 2017
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 2A

USING PHOTOSPHERES, PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MODELS & GUIDING QUESTIONS TO CREATE AN IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCE

Paper number: T45-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Authors

Abstract

"Sometimes getting to a place to observe geologic evidence is tough" (Ira Flatow- Science Friday Radio Show, Dec 2016). Such is the case for many middle school, high school and undergraduate students for reasons that range from a lack of transportation funding to issues of accessibility. This presentation will demonstrate the creation and use of a first-of-its-kind Immersive Virtual Field Experience (IVFE) as one possible method for making an authentic field experience accessible to nearly all students.

The Columns of the Giants (Sierra Nevada) IVFE combines interactive high-resolution 360-degree photospheres with embedded 3-D photogrammetric rock specimen models as well as guiding questions that facilitate scientific discourse demanded by the Next Generation Science Standards. The high resolution of this IVFE allows precise and realisitc observations to be made. A recommended lesson plan for using The Columns of the Giants IVFE will be presented with the following learning goals:

  • Students will explore the six unmarked “Stops” in the IVFE to make sketches and notes of observations they think are geologically interesting or useful.

  • Students will partake in small-group and large-group scientific discourse.

  • Students will use their data to synthesize a geologic story that explains the formation of the Columns of the Giants.

  • Student will apply their new geology skills and knowledge to interpret the origins of landscapes across the world (and perhaps even out of this world).

The presentation will conclude with a sampling of the artifacts created by the first 150 high school students that used the Columns of the Giants Immersive VIrtual Field Experience.

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

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-301373

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