St Laurence Junior pupils take tour from New York to Amazon Rainforest in virtual reality workshop

VR workshop at St Laurence Junior School

St Laurence C of E Junior Academy has hosted a Virtual Reality workshop, thanks to Anna from PrimeVR.

The workshop was designed to help students explore different topics in an immersive and interactive way, and the school says it was a huge success.

The Year 3 students focused on the topic of biomes, exploring the different types of environments around the world. They were able to use VR technology to see what it would be like to walk through a rainforest, a desert, or a tundra. This experience allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of how living things adapt to their surroundings.

Year 4 and 5 students delved into the wonders of Ancient Egypt, specifically the pyramids of Giza. They were able to virtually tour inside a pyramid, getting a closer look at the intricate carvings and hieroglyphics. The students were captivated by this experience, and it allowed them to visualize the history they were learning about. For the Year 6 students, the focus was on America.

Mrs Keeley, year 6 teacher and head of History and Geography, said: “The VR workshop took us on a whirlwind tour of the Americas. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting New York in the day, followed by Manhattan at night.

“We flew across the country to then stand beside the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, learning a bit about its history. A little more travel took us into the heart of Rio de Janeiro, looking into the eyes of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Having just learnt about the Rio Carnival, and currently learning about the Rio Olympics, this was a very exciting experience for Year 6.

“We finished our visit in the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, where we learnt some interesting facts about sloths – one of the animals native to Brazil. Year 6 loved this immersive learning experience, speaking about it for days following the session!”

All of the workshops were based on current topics studied in class, providing a valuable supplement to the students’ learning. The VR technology allowed the students to engage with the material in a new and exciting way, making the learning experience more immersive and engaging.

The VR workshop provided a unique and unforgettable experience for the students at St Laurence C of E Junior Academy. It allowed them to explore topics in a more interactive way and gain a deeper understanding of the material. The school hopes to continue using VR technology to enhance the learning experience for students in the future.