Calgary Students Experience Virtual Reality Journey to Space

A group of grade 9 students at Foothills Academy in Calgary embarked on a remarkable virtual journey on September 14, 2023, becoming the first classroom to experience a tour of the International Space Station (ISS). This groundbreaking event was made possible by VRCORE Education, a company that specializes in virtual reality (VR) field trips, which launched its new program, ISS: Curiosity in Orbit, in collaboration with the International Space Station National Laboratory (ISSNL).

With the aim of enhancing the school’s focus on space education, Foothills Academy is the inaugural institution to participate in this innovative program. The ISS: Curiosity in Orbit experience is part of a suite of three immersive VR offerings by VRCORE that transform areas like school gyms into interactive environments. Equipped with HTC Focus headsets, students explored the moon, the ISS, and engaged in activities such as an interactive quiz and a popular game known as asteroid dodgeball.

Jillian Senek, a science teacher at Foothills Academy, played a pivotal role in integrating this experience into her curriculum. “Space is part of the Alberta curriculum; it’s a pretty short unit, but we decided to really embrace it this year and we’re going to have themes of space throughout all of the units,” Senek explained. She hopes that the immersive experience will inspire students to apply their newfound knowledge in a cumulative project at the end of their unit.

Senek, who participated in the VR experience herself, described it as “unbelievable” and expressed her enthusiasm: “I’m so glad I got to participate in it. I’ve never done VR before, really, so I was running into kids and stepping up when there was nothing to step up on. It was amazing.” Her excitement reflects the potential of VR technology to enrich educational experiences.

Jason Van Hierden, owner and CEO of the Calgary branch of VRCORE, shared insights into the origins of the company. What began as a solution to fill vacant hours in a virtual reality arcade has now evolved into a pioneering educational initiative. “We started doing education in the arcades, which then spilled over into traveling to the schools,” he noted. The partnership with the ISSNL, along with support from NASA, has allowed VRCORE to fund and develop these unique educational experiences.

Calgary’s VRCORE is distinguished from its branches in other cities due to its focus on innovation. “We try a lot more things,” Van Hierden stated, emphasizing his commitment to marketing, logistics, and system development to streamline operations for franchisees worldwide. The company’s model for constructing a free-roam VR arena in under an hour sets it apart, as other companies typically require weeks to configure similar setups.

Looking forward, several other schools in Calgary, including Louis Riel School, Wilma Hansen School, and Mountain View Academy, have already booked VRCORE experiences for the 2025-26 school year. This growing interest in immersive educational technology indicates a trend towards integrating VR into academic curricula, making learning more engaging and interactive for students across various subjects.

As VRCORE continues to expand its offerings, the potential for virtual reality to transform education remains significant, offering students unique opportunities to explore complex concepts in a captivating manner.