Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning Launches New History And Wildlife VR Experiences
‘1776’ and ‘Blue Ridge Wildlife Center: Wood Turtle Habitats’ are available in the Meta Store
From the stories and ideas that shaped America’s founding to a turtle’s-eye view of its home, the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) at Shenandoah University is using virtual reality to break the traditional boundaries of learning through the recent launch of two educational VR experiences.
“1776” is a virtual museum experience that puts users inside the Assembly Room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where they’re surrounded by the people, ideas and documents – including the Declaration of Independence – that shaped the United States’ founding 250 years ago. Meanwhile, “Blue Ridge Wildlife Center: Wood Turtle Habitats,” which was generously supported by a grant from the BRWC, allows users to virtually explore the ecosystem inhabited by the North American Wood Turtle.
“1776”
Released in time for America’s 250th birthday, “1776” allows users to stand inside the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Through a series of interactive, museum-style exhibits, users can explore the documents, artifacts and stories behind the country’s founding.
Led by Director of the Virtual Reality Design B.S. Program and Co-Director of SCiL Mohammad F. Obeid, Ph.D., the development team included Immersive Technology Specialist Wes Brown, SCiL Projects Coordinator Ethan Brown, and students Ezgi Pinar ’28, Jaden Galloway ’27, and Mario Munoz ’29.
“BRWC: Wood Turtle Habitats”
Designed as part of an interdisciplinary online curriculum developed by a multi-departmental team at Shenandoah University for the BRWC’s Junior Wildlife Conservationist program, this VR experience uses pop-up information and 360-degree videos – including underwater footage – to show users a turtle’s perspective of the world.
Director of the Virtual Reality Design B.A. Program and Co-Director of SCiL Nathan Prestopnik, Ph.D.; Adjunct Instructor of Virtual Reality Design and Immersive Media Specialist Lee Graff, M.Ed.; and student El Lillard ’27, alongside other students from the virtual reality design program, led the VR app’s development, which included gathering underwater and grassland footage at Shenandoah University River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield.
Both “1776” and “BRWC: Wood Turtle Habitats” are available in the Meta Store.
