STEM Minute | Taking a field trip around the world with the help of new technology | Education

SULLIVAN, Ill. (WAND) — A new opportunity to explore the world from inside of the classroom is now available to students at Sullivan High School, thanks to new technology and dedicated instructors. By learning to use virtual reality goggles the students are able to bring an all-new meaning to the average field trip.

Student Christian Ogle, says," It's made me want to travel the world."

In an average geography class, it is impossible for students to visit every place that they learn about in class, but through this experience students able to see major landmarks they have discussed in class.

Geography and social studies teacher, Cole Huber, said, "When I told them we were doing this their eyes lit up I mean they use these types of headsets at home for video games and stuff like that."

Huber likes to think outside of the box when it comes to teaching his students. The goal he sets is to keep his students engaged and help them find a love for learning by fostering curiosity.

"I don't use a textbook, and I know some old schoolteachers that's not something people would like. I use a lot of this to keep them engaged because this is a different group of kids from when I was learning"

After teaching his students about Europe, they were able to tour all of the different countries. This allowed students to see the different cultures, environments, and architecture in each of the major cities they viewed. Instead of just seeing still images of the board, the students were able to fully immerse themselves into the experience with the help of the virtual reality goggles. As the students moved, they were able to see different parts of the image, similar to if they were standing in the street where the photo was taken and looking around. Overall Huber hopes that his students have a new appreciation for the different cultures that may vary from their own.

"I really hope they just take an appreciation for cultures that are different from their own. I think it's really important that we understand that we're all unique, every culture is unique, and every person is unique."

Walking away from the course Huber hopes that the students have a drive to become lifelong learners and find their dream travel destinations.

"Paris is one of my dream places to go so that would be really cool."

This is an experience that the school plans to continue using in the future, not only in Geography, but also in science classes for things like dissections.