Education
Calgary Students Experience Virtual Reality Tour of Space Station

A significant milestone in educational technology occurred in Calgary when grade 9 students at Foothills Academy became the first to experience a virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS). On September 14, 2023, the school participated in a groundbreaking program titled ISS: Curiosity in Orbit, developed by VRCORE Education in collaboration with the International Space Station National Laboratory (ISSNL). This initiative marks the inaugural implementation of immersive virtual reality field trips in a classroom setting.
The program transforms ordinary spaces, such as a school gymnasium, into a captivating virtual environment. Equipped with HTC Focus headsets, students embarked on a journey that included traveling to the moon, exploring the ISS, and engaging in interactive activities, including an asteroid dodgeball game. This innovative approach not only enhances the learning experience but also aligns with the Alberta curriculum, which features a focus on space studies this academic year.
Jillian Senek, a science teacher at Foothills Academy, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “Space is part of the Alberta curriculum; it’s a pretty short unit, but we decided to really embrace it this year,” Senek stated. She emphasized the importance of integrating the virtual experience into a cumulative project at the end of the unit, hoping that students would apply their newfound knowledge and experiences.
Senek, who participated in the VR experience herself, described it as incredibly engaging. “I’m so glad I got to participate in it; it was unbelievable. 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,” she remarked.
VRCORE’s Innovative Approach to Education
Jason Van Hierden, owner and CEO of VRCORE, explained the origin of the company. What began as a virtual reality arcade in Calgary evolved into a pioneering educational initiative. “We started doing education in the arcades, which then spilled over into traveling to the schools,” he recalled. The development of the ISS-related experiences commenced approximately three years ago, culminating in a partnership with NASA and ISSNL that funded the construction of the program.
In comparison to other VR companies, VRCORE’s model is distinguished by its efficiency. Van Hierden noted that while most companies take weeks to set up hardware, VRCORE can establish a free-roam VR arena in just one hour. This rapid deployment allows schools to quickly integrate cutting-edge technology into their curriculums.
Foothills Academy is not alone in this venture. Other educational institutions in Calgary, including Louis Riel, Wilma Hansen, and Mountain View Academy, have also scheduled VRCORE experiences for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. This trend indicates a growing recognition of the value of virtual reality as a tool for enhancing educational outcomes.
As educational technology continues to evolve, the success of VRCORE’s ISS program may serve as a model for other regions. By leveraging immersive experiences, educators can inspire students and foster a deeper understanding of complex subjects like space exploration. The excitement evident in classrooms like Foothills Academy suggests that the future of education may indeed be out of this world.
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