immersive-tech

International competition targets immersive experiences


First competition in annual series will focus on building immersive technology skills.

immersive-techThe Immersive Education Initiative has announced the first in a series of international “builder” tournaments during which students and schools compete against one another to build immersive experiences, content, apps and applications.

The inaugural Minecraft “Builder Bowl” tournament begins in June, with the championship rounds and awards ceremony to be held during IMMERSION 2015 in Paris this September.

Dubbed “the Super Bowl of Building,” Builder Bowl tournaments revolve around a wide range of immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), simulations, video games, caves and domes, 3D printing and robotics.

(Next page: Builder Bowls and their benefits for learners)

With a focus on developing immersive technology skills, Builder Bowls provide a unique opportunity for learners of all ages to engage in a variety of healthy competitions, express themselves artistically and creatively, develop leadership skills, demonstrate school spirit, collaborate closely with others, conduct basic research, and make new friends around the world.

The championship rounds of every Builder Bowl tournament are held during international Immersive Education conferences and events. The championships and awards ceremony for the inaugural Minecraft Builder Bowl tournament will held during IMMERSION 2015 in Paris this September. Speakers and exhibitors at previous events have included the United States Department of Education, NASA, United Nations (UN), Smithsonian, Harvard University, MIT, MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Oracle and many other world-class organizations.

Building on the success of the previous 9 years of Immersive Education conferences, IMMERSION 2015 convenes the world’s leading experts in immersion and immersive technologies in Paris this fall. The event, which is open to the public, will take place in the famous lecture halls of the historic Paris-Sorbonne University from September 7 to September 10.

IMMERSION 2015 addresses the personal and cultural impact of immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (e.g., Facebook’s Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive), augmented reality and mixed reality (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens), holograms and holography, wearable computing (e.g., Google Glass and Apple Watch), mechanical and neural brain interfaces, cybernetics, affective computing (systems that can recognize, interpret, process, and simulate human feelings and emotions), neuro-gaming technologies that are used to create adaptive and radically compelling entertainment experiences, 3D printing, personal robotics, telepresence, virtual worlds, simulations, game-based learning and training systems, and fully immersive environments such as caves and domes.

As a special event that is open to the public, the first two days of IMMERSION 2015 will feature general-interest keynote addresses, talks, panel discussions and exhibits. The event concludes with hands-on workshops and a 2 day technical (research) conference specifically for researchers, academics, teachers and corporate trainers.

For more information visit http://summit.ImmersiveEducation.org.

Material from a press release was used in this report.

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Laura Ascione