Douglas College plans to establish the Embark Immersive Learning Hub at its New Westminster campus with a $500,000 Embark Major Grant. Computing Science students will work with faculty to build and maintain custom 3D, virtual reality and augmented reality tools. The simulations will give classmates in four science programs a way to prepare for clinics, labs and fieldwork.
Planned course activities
- Veterinary Technology students will practise difficult conversations with AI-powered virtual pet owners.
- Earth and Environmental Sciences students will inspect virtual geological sites, giving students with accessibility needs a way to explore sites that pose physical barriers.
- Biology students will explore interactive 3D anatomy models before performing dissections in the lab.
- Sport Science students will analyse human movement and biomechanics in 3D.
Development and classroom use
Douglas College plans to spend the first nine months of the three-year project setting up the lab and installing equipment. Software development and classroom testing will follow. The college expects the first learning experiences to reach participating courses in fall 2029.
