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A new project to be offered in schools uses virtual reality to make New Zealand’s natural world, including underwater places, more accessible.
The project is a collaboration between NZ Geographic, the Sir Peter Blake Trust, WWF and the Pew Charitable Trust.
The virtual reality videos were filmed by a team from NZ Geographic in the Hauraki Gulf, the Three Kings, Parengrenga Harbour and the Poor Knights.
In addition to the public release last month, the Sir Peter Blake Trust will offer a programme to New Zealand schools from early next year.
Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive James Gibson, says the free programme will allow students to see both the rich biodiversity below the surface of our waters, as well as the damage that’s been done to the ecosystem.
The project is funded by Foundation North.
The videos can be viewed on any internet-connected device with a browser—phones, tablets, desktops—without needing an app.
Info: nzgeo.com/vr
…and another wild place revealed
There’s a new way to get inside Parliament – via XR 360 virtual reality tour headsets. Labour List MP Marja Lubeck will take the headsets to schools in Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast to enable students to experience parliament for themselves. Developed for Parliament by local virtual reality experts, the Virtual Debating Chamber builds on the Parliament XR app launched earlier this year. It gives users the impression of walking around the chamber, listening to the voices of past Prime Ministers, Speakers, and MPs as they debate significant events in New Zealand’s history. The Parliament XR 360 virtual reality tour, is available free from the App Store or Google Play, and can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices. If your school or community group would like a set of cardboard headsets for the Parliament XR app, email OOC.Education@parliament.govt.nz
