New augmented reality sandbox enhances learning

Playing in the sandbox will take on a whole new meaning for Middle School students.
 
Playing in the sandbox will take on a whole new meaning for Middle School students.

The Niles Bolton Middle School Complex is now home to Rabun Gap’s first augmented reality sandbox. This new piece of state-of-the-art technology is housed in Mr. Johnathan BySura’s science classroom and is revolutionizing the way students learn about geology, ecology, astronomy, topography, and mind mapping.

The AR sandbox allows users to shape land in real time, while the topographic map lines rise and fall so the user can see the changes immediately. In addition, users can drape their hand over its surface to make it rain while watching the flow of water into river valleys, canyons, and lakes. There is also functionality to press a single button and can change the surface to Mars or or make a volcano erupt with just the stroke of a hand. Powered by an Xbox Kinect, powerful hard drive, and high quality projector, the sandbox will help teach concepts in plate tectonics, evolution and adaptation, astronomy, and cartography. It can be used at any grade level from exciting hands on classes with kindergarten to more advanced mind mapping and topography lessons with seniors. Only six public AR sandboxes exist in the state of Georgia.

Mr. BySura, Middle School experiential education coordinator and science teacher, first experienced this type of sandbox, which was developed by UC Davis students, during a trip this summer in California.

“I knew immediately we needed one for our school. Working closely with Dr. Sgro and others, we were able to make this a reality for our students,” he said. “There are so many ways in which this technology can be useful for our teachers and students, and I can't wait to start putting it into practice. I am most excited to be teaching with it to demonstrate watersheds to our 6th and 7th graders. This sandbox will be a key feature at this years watershed capstone presentations, and I hope everyone comes out to experience it."  
 
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.