EWU PLUS – FREE Virtual Reality Services

The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) is now providing FREE virtual reality services for all EWU students. PLUS has partnered with a software company called Curio XR to provide Eagles with a hands-on learning experience to help students better understand course material. PLUS has a plethora of headsets for Eagles to use whether it is on their own or during their tutoring and study group sessions.

For the remainder of the Fall 24 Quarter, PLUS will be hosting Virtual Reality Playground sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11am-1pm for students to use the headsets on their own to study. Headsets are located on the main floor of the JFK Library Learning Commons in the PLUS Area. Eagles can also work with Tutors and Study Group Leaders during sessions, and students are always welcome to ask a PLUS employee if they can use the headsets for a guided virtual reality session.

If you are worried about headaches or dizziness, don’t fret! The Meta Quest 3s help mitigate that, and PLUS recommends being in the headset for 30 minutes at a time just to be on the safe side.

One of the amazing aspects about these headsets and our partnership with Curio XR is that there are new features being added all the time. Many of these features were ideas from EWU staff, faculty, and students, as well! Here are some of the fun and interactive features in the headsets.

3D Drawing – Students can draw and write in 3D.

Human Anatomy Model – Eagles can now see the human body in a 3D environment rather than on a page. Every piece of the human body is within grasp. Students can interact with each part of the body in their hands by making it bigger, smaller, and seeing it from a 360 degree perspective. There’s even a definition tab for students to learn more information about the part of the human body they are holding.

Tour of the Heart – One of the newest features in the headset is a start and stop roller coaster ride through a human heart. Each section has a mini-lecture to help students better understand each part of the heart.

Biology Models – There are quite a few biology models such as the brain, neuron, and multiple models of the heart emphasizing different aspects of the model.

Chemistry Features – EWU students can now see molecules in 3D by either spawning in a pre-made molecule or make it themselves by using the Periodic Table in the headset. They can also practice Lewis Structures and VSEPR shapes. 

SimViewers – These are mini-lectures about certain topics that were made by professors and their students that Curio XR has partnered with.

AI (Watson) – If a student is working on their own and has a specific question, Watson (the education AI inside of the headset) can help answer that question.

Celebrations – At the end of every study session, students can have confetti, balloon drops, and fireworks happen all at once without worrying about cleaning. This is a great “feel good” way to end a study session. 

Check out the PLUS virtual reality page, contact them at plusstudent@ewu.edu, call them at 509.359.6505, or come to the PLUS Area in the JFK Library Learning Commons to learn more about VR services today!