Aberdeen Science Centre Expands VR Learning Programme
Aberdeen Science Centre is expanding its virtual reality (VR) programme by adding new workshops and a birthday party experience, following its introduction of the technology in 2025.
When the programme first started, visitors could explore different digital worlds, such as ancient times and important historical moments, and even take interactive trips inside the human body. The centre is now using VR even more, thanks to ongoing funding from Mermaid Subsea Services UK and ETZ Ltd.
During the past year, nearly 40 ClassVR headsets were made available for use at the centre and at community events. Thanks to these resources, more than 6,500 children and families from across north-east Scotland and surrounding areas took part in activities using the equipment.
Funding enabled the technology to be integrated into various programmes and helped train staff to use the headsets effectively during sessions at the centre and at community events.
With more support, the centre will add four new VR experiences this year. The new activities will focus on ocean life, where animals live, important historical events, and topics related to geography and rocks. The day party package is scheduled to launch in April. The experience will allow groups of children to take part in a space-themed virtual session as part of the centre’s organised celebrations.
Two new school workshops will also begin in August, when the school year starts. In these sessions, students can explore the solar system using VR and learn about different kinds of energy used in local communities. Continued funding follows the initial year of the programme, during which the headsets were used across centre-based learning and community participation activities. The initiative supports the delivery of interactive STEM education to young people and families across the region.
The partner organisations stated that the programme contributes to efforts to support education, skills development, and awareness of science and technology in the north-east of Scotland, including during a period of change in the regional energy sector.
Extra funding will also be used to keep the VR system up to date and working well, including making improvements to the equipment and programs so it can continue to be used in the centre’s activities.
