Introduction for the TMO website video
The Texas Futures Virtual Reality (VR) Experience project aims to transform scientific output from other Planet Texas 2050‐funded research projects into an immersive experience that engages non-experts. We leverage VR technology and game design techniques in an entertaining and educational VR experience, where users play the role of researchers who visit an environmental engineering and sustainability laboratory. They will experience a series of games and acquire knowledge throughout the journey. For example, we have designed an interactive map of Texas to demonstrate population and water demand shifts through a multi-decade period from the Texas Metro Observatory (TMO) project, as shown in this short video.
The population in 17 Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) is displayed by bar(s) with different numbers and heights based on the actual data of the corresponding year. VR users can change the year of data displayed on the map simply by moving the slider under the map. We utilized Census data from 1990 to 2010 as well as population predictions made by the Texas Demographic Center from 2015 to 2050.
Next, water demand predictions from 2020 to 2050 will be displayed on the Texas map. The TMO predicts future water demands based on three different scenarios, namely do-nothing, demand reduction, and demand reduction and reuse. Therefore, in addition to trends over time, participants can change water usage strategies in the future and see the actual impact.
The following video demonstrates other game-based learning activities created by the Texas Futures Virtual Reality (VR) Experience project.
One key focus of Planet Texas 2050 is to understand the interconnectedness of critical resource systems. Therefore, we created a puzzle game in a VR environment to convey the idea of interconnections and inspire users to explore them in their daily life. We used four icons to represent four essential resource systems for a sustainable community, namely water, energy, urbanization, and ecosystem services. Next, we selected four topics from existing Planet Texas 2050 research projects and created audios or animations to explain them.
The participants are instructed to connect all relevant resource systems based on their understanding. After submitting their answers, they will get answers and explanations on how those resources are connected. For example, in the topic “Surface Imperviousness”, users will first watch a 3D animation that compares the flow of rainwater between a pervious green surface and an impervious urban surface. Then, the user will link related resources based on their understanding of the concept of surface imperviousness. In this case, the resources are urbanization, water, and ecosystem services. Other topics used in this puzzle game include “heat island effect”, “disease outbreaks”, and “air pollution”.