Trichy Corporation Builds Virtual Reality Learning Zone to Boost Education at STEM Park

Trichy Corporation has recently completed the development of a state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) learning zone at the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) park in Srirangam. With an investment of 1.1 crore, the VR facility aims to inspire schoolchildren to explore various topics in astronomy, biology, geography, and geology.

The STEM park, covering an area of 3.6 acres near Yatri Nivas on the Kollidam flood bank road, was created at a cost of 15 crore under the smart cities mission program in 2022. While the park already attracts a significant number of visitors on weekends, the addition of new facilities was deemed necessary to sustain and increase footfall. Thus, the Trichy Corporation came up with a plan to introduce a VR zone within the park.

The VR zone occupies a space of approximately 1,000 square feet and is equipped with 24 VR headsets and supportive controllers. Students can access over 50 video presentations on various subjects, including the solar system, Chandrayaan missions, earth science, world atlas, plant kingdom, forest ecosystem, and the formation of rocks. Demo sessions were recently conducted to test the gadgets.

“At a time, 24 students can select science videos of their choice, with a session lasting a maximum of 30 minutes. Two of our staff members will be available to assist the children in choosing among the videos, each with a runtime of 10-15 minutes,” explained V Uma, an instructor at the STEM park.

In order to access the VR zone, visitors will be required to pay an entry fee of 30-50 rupees per head. The Trichy Corporation is planning to pass a resolution in the council to determine the entry fee and officially open the facility.

The demand for the STEM park continues to grow, with approximately 100 visitors on weekdays and up to 1,000 visitors on certain weekends. The park already features a mini planetarium and a mini theater, with respective capacities of 35 and 150 people. The addition of the VR learning zone is expected to further enhance the park’s offerings and attract even more visitors.

Facts not mentioned in the article but relevant to the topic:

– The Trichy Corporation is the local governing body responsible for the administration of Trichy city in Tamil Nadu, India.
– The STEM park in Srirangam, where the VR learning zone is located, was developed under the smart cities mission program in 2022.
– The VR zone occupies a space of approximately 1,000 square feet within the STEM park.
– The VR facility is equipped with 24 VR headsets and supportive controllers.
– Visitors to the VR zone can access over 50 video presentations on various subjects, including astronomy, biology, geography, and geology.
– The STEM park already features a mini planetarium and a mini theater with respective capacities of 35 and 150 people.

Key questions and answers:

1. What is the purpose of the VR learning zone at the STEM park?
– The purpose of the VR learning zone is to inspire schoolchildren to explore various topics in astronomy, biology, geography, and geology.

2. How many visitors does the STEM park attract?
– The STEM park attracts approximately 100 visitors on weekdays and up to 1,000 visitors on certain weekends.

3. How long is a VR session at the learning zone?
– A VR session at the learning zone lasts a maximum of 30 minutes.

Key challenges or controversies associated with the topic:

One possible challenge or controversy associated with the topic could be the affordability of the entry fee for visitors to the VR learning zone. Some people may argue that the entry fee could limit access to the educational opportunities provided by the facility, especially for lower-income individuals or families.

Advantages of the VR learning zone:
– Provides an interactive and immersive learning experience for schoolchildren.
– Expands the educational offerings at the STEM park and attracts more visitors.
– Allows students to explore various subjects in an engaging and memorable way.

Disadvantages of the VR learning zone:
– Potential cost barrier for some visitors due to the entry fee.
– Limited capacity of 24 students at a time could lead to wait times during busy periods.
– Requires ongoing maintenance and updates to keep the VR equipment and video presentations up-to-date.