Students in a Kansas elementary school are creating mountains and other natural features with the help of an augmented reality (AR) sandbox setup.
Recently the students used it to create a mountain that they aptly named Everest, complete with a snowy peak atop a red mount, and embellished with beaches around it. The AR technology helped them explore the depths of the planet including oceans and mountains, all of which were visible within the wooden enclosure of the sandbox. They could let their imaginations run free with the help of the setup.
The AR sandbox initiative was created by Becky Smith, the institution’s computer lab teacher. It helped bring many natural features of the world including valleys, mountains, and oceans to the classroom for educating the children in an entertaining way
The combination of AR tools and the wooden enclosure was constructed by the collaboration of students and teachers. The students were able to gain some insights into factors such as erosion, topographical details, and water flow within the box with rainbow reflecting sand.
Smith got hold of the AR sandbox several years back at the Downtown Topeka Arts and Craftsman Workshop. She could take it to her classroom after seeking permission. It was accepted well by the children, prompting Smith to explore the possibility of having one for Silver Lake Elementary.
AR sandboxes available at retail are considerably expensive, and they are generally utilised in museums. Smith got the idea that the school district might be able to make its own AR sandbox to help the kids learn.
Assembling the AR setup was mostly a straightforward experience. It was processed through Linux software for the analysis and projection of varying height levels on the sand by the UCLA. Teachers also had free access to it and just needed to produce the materials needed for the project to go ahead in terms of development.
How the AR sandbox at Silver Lake Elementary came to be is an interesting story in itself. One of the former students of the institution was discarding their Xbox Kinect motion-sensing camera. It is a device that has commonly been modified by many educators. As the school possessed a computer and a projector, it just needed to invest in a graphics card unit capable of providing enough power for AR processing.
Smith worked closely with members of the shop and technology division to create the custom wooden cabinet and perform the software installation. After this, the school purchased the reflective sand required to become the earth for the AR sandbox.
According to Smith, the cost of a brand new sandbox would be about $7,000. The school made its own for a small fraction of that cost, as it could not possibly afford to purchase one. The students use the sandbox to team up in groups to create features such as oceans, mountains, and rivers. Smith uses the setup for teaching the kids about water conservation and other topics.
Overall, the AR sandbox has had a positive impact on helping students learn better with the power of immersive technology.
