Over the past week, students in grades 3–5 at Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary had the exciting opportunity to travel the world without ever leaving their classrooms! Mel White, PBL Instructional Coach for Pieter B. Coeymans and A.W. Becker Elementary, borrowed virtual reality (VR) headsets from the NERIC lending library to bring this immersive learning experience to students.
Classes participated in a guided virtual tour connected to their current grade-level curriculum. Students explored several destinations and discovered fun facts about the places they were “visiting.” The experience turned classroom learning into an immersive, interactive experience.
Each tour lasted approximately 30 minutes and offered students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of geography, science, and social studies. Third graders journeyed through the Amazon Rainforest, exploring its vibrant habitats and learning facts along the way. Fourth graders continued their study of landforms by virtually visiting glaciers, national parks, and world landmarks such as the Great Wall of China. Fifth graders dove into ancient history with an immersive tour of Aztec and Mayan ruins, bringing their social studies lessons visually to life in an unforgettable way.
These hands-on experiences enrich our curriculum and inspire students to think beyond the classroom.