Students to Get an Interactive Glimpse into Virtual Reality

AMES, Iowa--Iowa Public Television will take students in grades 6-12 on a voyage through the world of virtual reality, thanks to the video-conferencing capabilities of the Iowa Communications Network and the Virtual Reality Applications Center at Iowa State University.

Across Iowa, students will be linked directly with VRAC's C2 virtual reality environment and researchers. C2 is a 12-by-12-by-9 ft. room in which the user is surrounded by 3-D images projected in real time on three walls and the floor. Along with an exclusive look at the facility and insight from the researchers responsible for C2, some students will be able to pose questions via the ICN and get immediate feedback.

"This is a great opportunity because the ICN can take us to all the schools in the state. It would be very hard for all these classrooms to travel to Ames to visit our lab," said Carolina Cruz-Neira, associate director of VRAC. "This program through the ICN and IPTV is nice because we can bring a camera crew into the lab and transmit what's happening straight into the classroom."

Sixty-nine classes in twenty-eight different schools have registered to participate in the program. They will take part in the two, hour-long IPTV broadcasts beginning at 9 a.m. for grades 6-8 and again at 10:30 a.m. for grades 9-12. Broadcasts are scheduled for Jan. 21 and Feb. 18.

"When we did it last year, the students were very interested and they actually led the discussions," Cruz-Neira said. The students can gain firsthand experience in what the field of virtual reality entails by going into the lab with researchers via a live camera feed over the ICN.

The collaboration of IPTV and VRAC will bring cutting-edge technology in the fields of engineering, computer science and mathematics as well as graphic design, chemistry and archeology right into the classroom.

"People in the field of virtual reality have such different backgrounds ranging from those involved in developing the technology to those who use it as a tool. The students who work with me come from varying disciplines such as art, biology and mathematics," Cruz-Neira said.

The Iowa Communications Network is a statewide fiber optic communications infrastructure providing interactive video, voice and data services. The network connects educational institutions in each of Iowa's 99 counties, the three regent universities and Iowa Public Television. More information about the Iowa Communications Network and Iowa Public Television can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.k12connections.iptv.org

VRAC is in the process of building C6, a new virtual reality environment that will project images on all four walls, the floor and ceiling, thus providing total immersion of the participants. The center is a member of the Institute for Physical Research and Technology, a network of research and technology-transfer centers and industrial-outreach programs at ISU. More information about VRAC can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/

Schools Registered for January 21, 2000

Grades 6-8, 9:00-10:00
GLADBROOK-REINBECK MIDDLE SCHOOL
SOUTH HAMILTON MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
WELLSBURG-STEAMBOAT ROCK COMM SCHOOL
HUBBARD-RADCLIFFE COMM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BCLUW MIDDLE SCHOOL
CEDAR FALLS COMM SCHOOL DISTRICT
WEST HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL
BAXTER HIGH SCHOOL
AEA 11 HEARTLAND AEA

Grades 9-12, 10:30-11:30
ACKLEY-GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL
CEDAR FALLS COMM SCHOOL DISTRICT
NASHUA-PLAINFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
CAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LAKE MILLS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
AURELIA HIGH SCHOOL
GREENFIELD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
NORTH POLK JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
WAUKEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
NORTH MAHASKA JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
PLEASANTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
HUBBARD-RADCLIFFE HIGH SCHOOL
ALLAMAKEE COMM SCHOOL DISTRICT
WELLSBURG-STEAMBOAT ROCK COMM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOONE HIGH SCHOOL
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL

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Last updated September 6, 2006 rbm