Cindy Brakke and Cindy Breen from Renberg Elementary will use $5,308 for their proposal, “ClassVR: Going Beyond the Classroom.”

With the funds, they plan to purchase eight VR headsets that will be used by K-5 students. In the application, they wrote, “ClassVR is an open platform supporting virtual and augmented curriculum, allowing students and teachers to create, upload, and share their content, creating a collaborative community of global educational resources. One of the key benefits of ClassVR is its ability to support social and emotional development among students. Research has shown that virtual reality experiences can help students develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, and empathy for others. By experiencing challenging situations in a virtual environment, students can practice problem-solving, decision-making, and collaboration skills essential for success in school and beyond. With ClassVR, students can explore historical sites, scientific concepts, and cultural landmarks worldwide in a safe and controlled environment. By using this technology, we can transport students beyond the walls of our classrooms and provide them with meaningful, real-world experiences that help them develop compassion and understanding of diverse perspectives. We know that experiencing something is one of the best ways to learn, and virtual reality helps create this great foundation for success.”