What is World Environment Day?
World Environment Day was created by the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. On the 5th June, it is the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day and will be hosted in Cote d’Ivoire in partnership with the Netherlands. The theme will focus on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.
As a teacher, it provides a valuable opportunity to instil in students a sense of environmental responsibility. It is an opportunity to introduce them to concepts such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and sustainable practices. By educating students about these important issues, you can empower them to become responsible and environmentally conscious global citizens, ready to shape a sustainable future.
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Benefits to using Virtual Reality to teach on World Environment Day
Virtual Reality (VR) offers a unique and immersive learning opportunity as it transports students to virtual environments that can closely mirror the real world. With VR, students can venture into remote or otherwise inaccessible locations, enabling them to explore ecosystems, observe wildlife, and witness sustainable practices in action. These immersive experiences foster deeper understanding, heightened engagement, and lasting memories, making the learning process more impactful and memorable.
VR also serves as a powerful tool to promote empathy, allowing students to experience the beauty and fragility of nature. This experience can inspire a sense of responsibility to take action to protect and preserve the environment.
How to use ClassVR on World Environment Day
Our ClassVR library has a multitude of resources that allow students to experience the depths of the oceans, diverse biomes, or sustainable practices. Equipped with a ClassVR headset, students can navigate and explore our scenes, embarking on virtual adventures that provide contextual learning experiences.
Here are examples of 5 explorable ClassVR scenes you could use to engage your class this World Environment Day.
Ocean Plastics
Immerse your students in an exploration of the impact of plastic waste on our oceans. Transport them to a virtual beach where they can spot an array of household plastic items, particularly single-use plastics.
As they take a swim in the sea, students will observe the hazardous consequences of plastic pollution on marine life and gain insight into the issue of microplastics infiltrating the food chain.
Recycling Plant
Embark on a virtual journey to a Recycling Plant! This can be a great way to start a conversation about the importance of recycling in preserving our environment and reducing pollution. Students can observe the various stages of the recycling process for both plastic and glass, watching first-hand how these materials are sorted, shredded, melted, and transformed into pellets.
Climate Change
In this scene, your students will find themselves within a virtual city grappling with the realities of climate change. Encourage them to explore their surroundings and identify the causes of climate change, as well as identifying signs of the impact.
Human Impact on Earth - Deforestation
Invite your students into the heart of the rainforest, where they can closely examine the effects of deforestation.
Students will be able to explore a biodiverse rainforest area, as well as an area cleared of trees, improving their knowledge about the effects of deforestation on the wildlife, environment, and atmosphere.
Human Impact on Earth - Pollution
This scene lets students explore the environment and observe examples of human activity. They will observe how farming, use of power stations and waste management has contributed to land, air, and water pollution.
Conclusion
By harnessing the power of Virtual Reality through ClassVR, you can provide your students with immersive experiences that not only enhance their understanding of World Environment Day but also empower them to become catalysts for change, helping to create a greener and more sustainable world.
We are keen to hear feedback from schools all over the world on what content you would like to see us build for you next, so if you have any suggestions of resources you would like to use or lessons you want to teach, just drop our Educational Services team an email at community@classvr.com.
