VESL was officially launched on Horizon Worlds for Beta testing on February 1st, 2023 (see below).
The Environment Initiative Faculty Fellows program aims to enhance transdisciplinary research and advance the strategic priorities of the initiative. The fellowship is a competitive award funded by the UO Provost’s Office. EI Faculty Fellows complete a project that advances work on behalf of the Environment Initiative. As an EI Faculty Fellow, Dr. Danny Pimentel is working with Dr. Kelly Sutherland on a Virtual Excursions for Science Learning (VESL) proposal, which was selected for an Environment Initiative Seed Funding Research Award. The Environment Initiative seed funding will kick-start research focused on immersive, virtual reality (VR) learning experiences capable of increasing ocean science literacy, interest in STEM careers and promote environmental attitudes among underrepresented learners.
The development was led by Old Hara Studios in collaboration with PI Pimentel, PI Sutherland, and Yellow Wood Immersive.
VESL users engaging in core research activities, including using the MOCNESS to collect samples, followed by examining those samples in the Dry Lab.
Dr. Pimentel greeting visitors to the VESL Cruise.
Demo of VESL with University of Oregon Donors (2023).
