Diving into SDG 14, Life Below Water: A VR Experience for Deeper Understanding

This presentation delves into a transformative educational initiative centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water. SDG 14, a global commitment established in 2015, aims to conserve and sustainably utilize oceans, seas, and marine resources. This holistic project leverages the immersive potential of virtual reality (VR) to engage high school students in the vital mission of ocean sustainability. The educational content, developed as a dynamic VR experience in FrameVR, immerses students in the complex world of SDG 14. Through VR headsets, PCs, or mobile devices, students embark on a learner-centric journey, emphasizing collaboration, gamification, brainstorming, design challenges, and competition. This approach fosters active participation, knowledge construction, and critical skill development related to SDG 14. VR's immersive capabilities captivate students' attention, making learning experiential and memorable. Microcontent, including interactive polls, personal stories, infographics, videos, audio lessons, and learning games, enhances understanding and engagement with SDG 14. Real-time discussions within the metaverse facilitate collaboration, diverse perspectives, knowledge sharing, and global connectedness. The curriculum aligns seamlessly with SDG 14's specific targets, such as reducing marine pollution and promoting sustainable practices, while integrating with high school curricula in Alberta and Saskatchewan, reinforcing the relevance of SDGs across subjects. Notably, this project empowers students to innovate locally for ocean protection, fostering a sense of responsibility and global citizenship. With a focus on accessibility and user flexibility, the VR experience accommodates different devices and abilities, while a self-paced, walkthrough environment encourages exploration. Through storytelling, interactive activities, and collaboration, students are motivated and equipped to address the challenges facing our oceans. This presentation invites educators and students to engage with the VR experience, providing opportunities for active participation, reflection, and real-world problem-solving aligned with SDG 14. Bridging the Gap underscores the urgency of collective action to ensure a sustainable future, with a particular emphasis on life below water.