Public invited to create, share and interact with unique COVID-19 stories via “Virtual Field Trips”

Posted on: 27 January 2021

Researchers from the V-SENSE group in Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics are calling on the public to create, share and interact with unique COVID-19 stories and experiences via “Virtual Field Trips”.

The project seeks to capture personal accounts of how we have adapted to life impacted by the pandemic and its related restrictions. People will create 3D environments within which to tell their stories and achieve virtual field trip goals.

Perhaps you would like to take people to that beautiful place in nature that gave you some peace in an otherwise stressful time? Or open eyes to the eerie silence of your normally busy town silenced by COVID-enforced restrictions? Or even share a newly discovered hobby with others?

The possibilities are limitless, along with the locations that will be featured.

People will create their stories by using open-source tools, ambient noise and photos taken from their chosen locations, and a free-to-use social virtual reality (VR) platform.

The project will provide a platform for building online communities to share experiences and support virtual field trips at a worldwide scale. 

To view help guides, step-by-step instructions, and video tutorials, see the project webpage here. You can also email project member, Gareth Young, for additional information.