Content provided by Save Our Shores
Save Our Shores recently collaborated with Virtual Planet Technologies and Oceans360, with funds from Coastal Quest and Ocean Protection Council, to create a virtual reality experience of our region’s Marine Protected Areas for middle school students.
In the VR experience students join an animated sea lion named Marina on a fun and educational journey in a Save Our Shores submarine observing and interacting with various species in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along Central California and Southern California coastlines. As they explore their underwater surroundings and take part in a scavenger hunt identifying various species, students learn about the history of California’s MPAs, the regulations that govern the different types of MPAs, and science and conservation concepts such as biodiversity and spillover effect. The experience is strengthened through additional activities such as class discussion, writing prompts, and small group work looking at maps of California’s MPAs.
The VR experience has English, Spanish, and Portuguese narration options and closed captions. A video version of the content is also available as a distance-learning option, which can be accessed on any computer or mobile device.
All of the resources including the videos, lesson plan, and supplemental activities can be accessed for free on the Online Learning Resources page on the Save Our Shores website as well as on the Virtual Planet Technologies website. The VR App can be accessed via the Oculus App Lab, and is pending approval for the main App store where it will soon be featured for free. Check out the trailer to get a feel for the program!
You can view the full press release about the project here.
Spread the Word!
Please share widely to help Save Our Shores bring awareness of our MPAs to as many youth as possible.
Sample Social Media Caption (please tag @saveourshores):
“Save Our Shores, Virtual Planet Technologies, and Oceans360 have teamed up to create a virtual reality experience of California Marine Protected Areas to offer middle school students a glimpse of these magnificent underwater treasures and learn why they are vital to a healthy future for our oceans and for all life on Earth.
The materials for this program can be accessed remotely free of cost by visiting https://saveourshores.org/online-learning-resources/ including interactive 360-degree videos in three languages with an accompanying lesson plan and supplemental activities and resources. The app is available for free on the Oculus App Lab and can be used on your own Oculus headset! The app can be found at: https://ocul.us/3AqMooc. Teachers and educators local to the Monterey Bay Region can schedule a Save Our Shores representative to lead their class on this virtual reality experience through Oculus VR headsets! Contact Save Our Shores for more information.
#VirtualReality #MarineProtectedAreas #STEM #SaveOurShores @saveourshores “