The VIRION Face-to-Face Training officially began on April 15, 2024, at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) in Madrid. The event brought together educators and representatives from Spain, Germany, Finland, and Bulgaria to explore how Virtual Reality (VR) can transform STEM education. Among the participating schools were IES Margarita Salas, IES La Sisla, and IES La Arboleda from Spain; Stadtteilschule Lohbrügge, Gymnasium Leopoldinum, and Goethe-Schule – Gymnasium der Stadt Flensburg from Germany; Lyseo high school, Kimpinen high school and Sammonlahti school from Finland; and SU Tsar Simeon Veliki, SU Vasil Levski, Kula and SU P.R. Slaveykov from Bulgaria.
The day began with a warm welcome as participants gathered at the URJC venue. The opening session set the stage with an overview of the VIRION project, presented by the research team from URJC. The introduction outlined the project’s goals of integrating Virtual Reality into STEM education and fostering collaboration among partner schools across Europe.
A key highlight of the morning was the first encounter with Virtual Reality, led by our partner Premium Cine, who provided a practical demonstration on setting up and safely using VR glasses. Attendees had the chance to familiarize themselves with the equipment and gain insights into how it will be implemented in classrooms. This session served as a foundation for the practical activities planned for the coming days.
After a lunch break, consortium members reconvened to discuss progress and plans for the VIRION project. This meeting provided an opportunity to align on key milestones, share updates, and address any outstanding questions among the partners.
The day concluded with an cultural activity, where participants were invited to explore Madrid’s historic Habsburg Quarter. This visit offered an excellent opportunity to unwind, connect with colleagues, and gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s rich cultural heritage.
The first day successfully set the tone for an engaging and collaborative week. Stay tuned for Day 2, where we will delve deeper into the hands-on applications of VIRION’s Virtual Reality tools!