** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE AGRISCIENCE METAVERSE ACADEMY WILL BRING TOGETHER AGRICULTURE TEACHERS FROM TENNESSEE AND NEBRASKA TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE AND DELIVER IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES IN VIRTUAL SETTINGS TO TEACH AGRISCIENCE CONTENT. THE EVOLUTION OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) ALLOWS TEACHERS TO BRING EXPERIENCES, LIKE TOURING A DAIRY BARN OR VISITING A GREENHOUSE, TO STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS AND PHYSICAL MOBILITY. THIS YEAR-LONG, PROLONGED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WILL BRING TOGETHER 28 TEACHERS ACROSS TWO STATES TO ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL COLLABORATIONS THROUGH THE METAVERSE, A FULLY IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT, IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING A 5-DAY IN-PERSON WORKSHOP. DURING THE WORKSHOP, TEACHERS WILL LEARN HOW TO TEACH WITH VIRTUAL REALITY AND WILL WORK IN PAIRS TO DEVELOP 14 NEW LESSON PLANS AROUND SIX DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL CONTENT AREAS USING VR ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY, EACH TEACHER WILL RECEIVE A CLASS SET OF 11 META QUEST 2 VR HEADSETS AND A 360° CAMERA. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE STUDENTS WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCES, LEADING TO INCREASED LEVELS OF AGRICULTURAL LITERACY AND INTEREST IN ENTERING THE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE.

University Of Tennessee, Memphis TN

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