Educating kids by turning them into VR astronauts

Dutch digital production company MediaMonks created the amazing SpaceBuzz, in collaboration with the non-profit Overview Effect Foundation. SpaceBuzz is a VR educational programme that launches classrooms into space. The spaceflight is 'led by' Dutch astronaut André Kuipers, and takes place inside a custom-built spacecraft with moving seats that are synchronised with the 4D VR experience. The experience runs along an educational programme that takes place in the classroom.

SpaceBuzz puts children in the footsteps of astronauts. It is the world's first real-time VR experience that launches kids on a simulated space mission to experience the ‘Overview Effect’ as reported by astronauts after seeing the earth from space: being overwhelmed and awed by the vulnerability of our planet.

Why? Academic research has shown that exposing primary school children to information about the vulnerable nature of the planet’s ecosystem significantly impacts their desire to act positively and protect the planet later in life. Hoping to turn kids into ambassadors of planet earth.

How? During the VR spaceflight, children are able to see the live-action recording, as well as a 3D avatar of a virtual Kuipers, inside the spacecraft. Through their VR headset - ‘Space Goggles’ - children can also hear André inside their helmet, complete with sound reverb and distortion effects to make the experience lifelike. As the Mission Commander André tells his fellow astronauts what to do and where to look. Kids are given 360 degrees of freedom to look around.

The ultimate goal is to let as many children as possible experience the beauty of our precious planet through a fleet of VR rockets named 'Buzzes', touring every country and school on the planet.