STEM Minute | Virtual reality lets students explore careers in the trades

TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WAND) — A new grant at Teutopolis High School is opening doors for students to explore careers in the trades using virtual reality. Using the new goggles, the students are creating lasting memories through unique experiences that are helping them find their passions.

William Lewis, a Senior at Teutopolis High School, said, "It's really fun to do something that is innovative to learn these trades."

This has been an eye-opening experience for students. The programs used to explore these different types of careers are usually very expensive, so they are making these opportunities more widely accessible to students by being able to provide this experience at the high school.

"I think that it is really cool that I'm able to do this because a lot of this stuff there's not really classes or anything you can do to learn this so it's just good to be able to get out and do it," said Lewis.

The simulations that are available to students allow them to explore a wide variety of careers. A few examples of those programs allow students to drive forklifts and backhoes and driving drones and flying planes.

Cassandra Carpenter, the business education teacher at Teutopolis High School, said, "I really want them to see what else is out there. This way they can think outside of the box and really get exposure to what careers are available to them."

While this is a fun and creative way for students to see what it would be like to work in different fields it also teaches them the importance of trial and error.

"They'll remember, hey we got to do these simulations in class I got to fly a plane, yeah I may have crashed it, but eventually I learned how to fly that plane."

As these students finish up their time in high school, they are able to use this new technology to their advantage to find the right career path for them.

"It's always great to try it and if you don't like it, you can always find something different."

This year, the Teutopolis School district was able to provide students with six sets of virtual reality goggles for students to use and they hope to continue to grow this program in the future.