BADAS and MiDAS Students Showcase Interactive VR Exhibits at the Florida Museum
Written by: Layla Dubreucq
On December 8, 2023, hundreds of children and families gathered at the Florida Museum to engage with interactive virtual reality exhibits crafted by Digital Worlds students. Four teams of 10 graduate and 6 undergraduate students worked together the entire Fall semester to create these immersive experiences relating to standing exhibits at the museum.
Step into the shoes of a paleontologist in the VR Fossil Finder exhibit, created by MiDAS students Ana Thomas, Brendan Caruso, Nick Reno, Thad Muchnok, and Zoe Mithaug. This exhibit allows visitors to dig in Florida’s local dig sites, uncovering the mysteries of both native and invasive Florida species. The game offers a fun and novel medium for exploring the state’s rich natural history.
Inspired by the Florida Museum of Natural History’s extensive collection of 3D-rendered fossil models, the project aims to highlight the Montbrook Site, a significant fossil dig site south of Gainesville. “We wanted users to experience the thrill of discovery within a captivating VR environment,” said Nick Reno.
To enhance the realism and engagement of the project, the team implemented various innovative features. First, breakable objects were introduced, where solid items such as rocks fractured upon impact from the user’s pickaxe. Particle effects were also used to simulate the fossil cleaning process, transforming the color of fossil pieces from dirt to bone while mimicking debris removal. The final feature of the project was the inclusion of the handles connected to the VR controllers. The handles represented tools such as a small pickaxe and a brush, where users could actual ‘hold’ objects in their hands, adding a layer of realism to the project.
Embark on an exciting under the sea adventure with VR Sharktographer, created by MiDAS students Johnny Delgado, Diana DaSilva, J.J. Marin, Kevin Long, and Rachel West. This virtual expedition invites users to board a virtual submarine, capturing snapshots of various sea creatures and sharks in a thrilling experience reminiscent of the classic Pokémon Snap.
Sharktographer immerses users in an open-faced submarine within a sea valley, providing a unique opportunity to explore the mysterious depths of the ocean. Guided by the robotic pedagogical assistant A.M.E.G.A., players use a periscope to capture snapshots of up to 10 different marine species, compiling a comprehensive catalog of underwater wildlife. “We aimed to base the learning objectives on marine wildlife, something relevant to the state of Florida,” said Rachel West.
A key design element of Sharktographer guarantees engagement, even for passive players. Diana and Rachel, in charge of the art, focused on hand-crafting assets to bring the underwater environment to life. The controls, mimicking the handling of a periscope, provide an intuitive experience for players, particularly those new to VR.
“Our goal was to create an application where players, even if not actively participating, could gain fulfillment by looking at the environment”, said Rachel West. “The visual richness is complemented by educational audio about the creatures.”
Crafted by BADAS students Jennifer Purington, Erica Yu, and Efren Lopez, BeeQuest invites players to soar through a dense Floridian forest, pollinating flowers, collecting nectar, and returning to the hive. The gamified experience is designed to raise awareness about the vital role of honeybees in the Florida ecosystem.
BeeQuest serves as a virtual exploration into the daily life of a honeybee. Players engage in tasks that mimic the responsibilities of a worker bee, promoting a fascinating learning experience.
The project’s inspiration stems from the opportunity to develop a VR experience for the Florida Museum. “The Florida Museum is known for its insect collection,” said Jennifer Purington. “So we thought, ‘What insect is more important to our everyday lives than the honeybee?’” The decision to place players in the perspective of bees offered an environmental focus to the educational game.
Journey into the VR ButterFly Exhibit, where BADAS students Maylen Casal, Katrina Das, and Alejandra Mogollon have designed a digital replica of the Florida Museum’s Butterfly Rainforest.
A key focus of ButterFly was striking a delicate balance between the educational content and creative design. Leveraging their background in digital arts, the team infused the project with creative elements, transforming game mechanics and interaction design. “We introduced two lighting settings, daytime and nighttime, that allowed for experimentation with lighting effects,” Maylen Casal said. “Creating a magical ambiance during the nighttime butterfly pathway.”
The team went further, adorning the virtual VR exhibit with string lights that emitted an enchanting yellow glow, hanging from the treetops to complement the experience of witnessing up to 15 butterflies flying past users.
The teams of students were guided by Assistant Professor Hyo Kang, who specializes in UI/UX Design, virtual and augmented reality. Professor Hang worked alongside the students aiding in the development and design process of their exhibits. “The culmination of their efforts offered children and families the chance to actively engage with the natural history of Florida in an interactive and immersive manner,” said Professor Kang.
