The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality
6th, 7th and 8th grade STEM lesson
Peter Johnston
May 7, 2023
Notes for teachers
Introduction to VR, AR and MR technologies that could change the way we work, teach, entertain, vacation, and socially interact.
This lesson starts bringing students up to speed on the current state of Virtual Reality hardware, software and solutions beyond gaming.
The real lesson has middle school students imagine and predict what industries will be impacted, what solutions will be available by the time they graduate from University.
Key Q: Will you commute to an office or will you be handed a set of Mixed Reality glasses and work remotely?
Is this Positive, Negative?
List of Materials
Standards
Arizona Standards
Impacts of Computing
6.IC.C.1 Identify some of the tradeoffs associated with computing technologies that can affect people's everyday activities and career options.
Advancements in computer technology are neither wholly positive nor negative. However, the ways that people use computing technologies have tradeoffs. Students should consider current events related to broad ideas, including privacy, communication, and automation. For example, driverless cars can increase convenience and reduce accidents, but they are also susceptible to hacking. The emerging industry will reduce the number of taxi and shared-ride drivers, but will create more software engineering and cybersecurity jobs.
Practice(s): Communicating About Computing: 7.2
Standards
Arizona Standards
Computer Science
6.CS.D.1 Compare computing device designs based on how humans interact with them.
Standards
Arizona Standards
Empowered Learner
6-8.1.d. Students navigate a variety of technologies and transfer their skills to troubleshoot and learn how to use new technologies.
Computational Thinker
6-8.5.d. Students understand how automation works and apply algorithmic thinking to design and automate solutions
Standards
Arizona Standards
Objective(s):
Day 1: Introduce students to the current state of VR technology. Start with videos by META (Mark Zuckerberg), CES 2023, discuss the state of VR goggles for gaming and how that might or might not morph into a broader implementation of VR.
Introduce Assignment:
6th Grade: Identify a key VR/MR technology, device, software, or other implementation that will change the world. Create a 5 slide presentation telling the class why this is the most important VR/MR solution. Goggles, Haptic gear, full body tracking.
7th/8th Grade: Choose an industry, business, consumer product, branch of government, country, school, holiday, transportation method, sporting league, or anything that will be changed by Virtual Reality (3D goggles. glasses), Augmented Reality (Heads up display attached to a hat or glasses) or Mixed Reality (combination of both VR and AR). Write a 400 paper with images that discusses how that industry could be impacted. Example provided.
Objective(s): Can use Quizizz or Quizlet to check for understanding
Day 1: Vocabulary
Objective(s):
Day 2- 3- 4 (depending on class size): Demonstrate VR solutions
Students use the Oculus VR goggles one by one, cast to the screen/projector, to experience and experiment in the Physics Lab with Hand Tracking.
Teacher roams the room with the FitRX TENS machine demonstrating how haptic response suits could be built with electrical pulses to trick the body into making the Virtual actually impact the body.
Discuss at each table industries that the students are studying. Give them questions, have students discuss with other student (pair/share) their industry choice and their findings.
Objective(s):
Day 2- 3: Demonstrate VR solutions and how the technology can recognize hands using multipoint cameras (Physics LAB), how Haptic technologies work (FitRX), VR Meeting Rooms (Engage, Meta Workrooms), and show the International Space Station.
6th Grade: Identify a key VR/MR technology, device, software, or other implementation that will change the world. Create a 5 slide presentation telling the class why this is the most important VR/MR solution.
7th/8th Grade: Choose an industry, business, consumer product, branch of government, country, school, holiday, transportation method, sporting league, or anything that will be changed by Virtual Reality (3D goggles. glasses), Augmented Reality (Heads up display attached to a hat or glasses) or Mixed Reality (combination of both VR and AR). Write a 400 paper with images that discusses how that industry could be impacted. Example provided.
Objective(s):
Day 1: Introduce students to the current state of VR technology. Start with videos by META (Mark Zuckerberg), CES 2023, discuss the state of VR goggles for gaming and how that might or might not morph into a broader implementation of VR.
Assignment:
6th Grade: Identify a key VR/MR technology, device, software, or other implementation that will change the world. Create a 5 slide presentation telling the class why this is the most important VR/MR solution.
7th/8th Grade: Choose an industry, business, consumer product, branch of government, country, school, holiday, transportation method, sporting league, or anything that will be changed by Virtual Reality (3D goggles. glasses), Augmented Reality (Heads up display attached to a hat or glasses) or Mixed Reality (combination of both VR and AR). Write a 400 paper with images that discusses how that industry could be impacted. Example provided.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
What does the future hold for VR, AR, and MR technologies as it relates to Middle School students, Education and other specific industries, and how will it affect work and social interactions?
When you graduate from University, will you be handed a pair of Mixed Reality goggles and work remotely?
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Assessment
6th Grade: Identify a key VR/MR technology, device, software, or other implementation that will change the world. Create a 5 slide presentation telling the class why this is the most important VR/MR solution. Goggles, Haptic gear, full body tracking. Make presentation to class!
7th/8th Grade: Choose an industry, business, consumer product, branch of government, country, school, holiday, transportation method, sporting league, or anything that will be changed by Virtual Reality (3D goggles. glasses), Augmented Reality (Heads up display attached to a hat or glasses) or Mixed Reality (combination of both VR and AR). Write a 400 paper with images that discusses how that industry could be impacted. Example provided.
Differentiation
Each student performs on this exercise to their best ability. Some presentations (6th) and papers (7th/8th) are detailed including pictures, analysis, and predictions of the future. Others are less detailed and only meet minimum requirements.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
There is a lot of room for extension in this exercise. Many students compare and contrast multiple industries and present new ways in which VR/AR/MR might impact their specific future. One student wrote a story of their week in the future with Mixed Reality work and entertainment.
For fun, I allow students who present to use Beat Saber or Gorilla Tag.