Moving to the virtual world
EM students set to present to legislatorsBy ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICAN
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State to see virtual reality presentation
East Marshall High School virtual reality students will be busy presenting what they have been working on the past few years to several groups.
They will participate in Educational Day at the Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines and present to the House Economic Growth Committee Tuesday. They will also make a presentation to the Iowa Board of Education Feb. 11 in Des Moines.
LEGRAND - The business world and educational realm have taken notice of the virtual reality program at East Marshall High School and soon state legislators and other Iowa officials will be filled in.
Students from the VR program at the school are gearing up to display what types of things they've created with the system at several events.
Tuesday they will be at the Capitol Rotunda displaying their projects during Educational Day then present in front of the House Economic Growth Committee. They will also make a presentation to the Iowa Department Board of Education on Feb. 11 in Des Moines.
Among the projects the students will display will be the red blood cell program created by current student Tyler Richard and former student Chris Meyer. The project follows a red blood cell through the human body.
"This will be a chance to let people know what is possible with virtual reality," Richard said.
The VR program allows the students to look at a subject from all angles on computers and not just through their own eyes. One project last year by student Cameron Starn had an engine in which he could dismantle and show each part. Starn's project will also be displayed this week.
"I'm looking forward to seeing their reaction," said Trent Harem, a junior VR student at East Marshall who has been working on a welding instruction program.
East Marshall Principal Rex Kozak said "it is a great honor" to be presenting during Educational Day.
"It's going to be an opportunity for the students to do public speaking and show what is possible in the next generation," Kozak said.
Since the virtual reality program was started via a grant from the Mayo Clinic three years ago with help from Mechdyne, students have honed their math skills, tapped into their creativity on several projects and learned teamwork.
"We're always working together and a lot of people say that's a valuable skill," Harem said.
Mechdyne is providing the students with a flat panel television for the students to show their project this week since their bigger tabletop system would not be feasible to move.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
