During a summer school program for K-12 students, an innovative class activity was developed to introduce Virtual Reality (VR) technology and its applications in engineering education. The session was designed to familiarize students with VR technology and showcase its potential in visualizing future urban environments, specifically the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) vision for the world in 2050.

 

The activity began with a demonstration of VR headset usage by Mr. Trotman, a UDC-CAL technology program instructor. This hands-on introduction ensured students were comfortable with the equipment before proceeding to the main content. Once proficient with the VR sets, students engaged with the ASCE Global Vision content, exploring concepts of MegaCities and Floating Cities. This immersive experience provided students with a unique perspective on potential future urban developments and engineering challenges.

 

In a subsequent class, the program integrated practical engineering concepts with the VR experience. Students applied their understanding of structural forces and materials to design and construct small-scale models for a spaghetti bridge competition. To enhance this process, students utilized the Gravitysketch app in VR to create prototype models of their bridges. This application of VR technology in the design phase offered high school students valuable insight into how VR can be practically employed in civil engineering applications.

 

This comprehensive approach not only introduced students to cutting-edge technology but also demonstrated its practical applications in engineering, bridging theoretical concepts with hands-on experience and future-oriented thinking. The program effectively showcased the potential of VR as a powerful tool in STEM education, particularly in the field of civil engineering.