Last November, we covered the launch of a new competition by the U.S. Department of Education, the “EdSim Challenge.” The challenge was meant to encourage the development of “educational simulations that strengthen career and technical education.” The competition yielded nearly 250 submissions from virtual reality, video game and educational technology communities.
Now, the Department has announced the competition’s five finalists. Quoting from a press release, the finalists and their submissions are as follows:
- Case Western Reserve University: Holographic Anatomy to Transform Healthcare Learning is a digital alternative to cadaver-based dissection, teaching medical anatomy using Microsoft HoloLens.
- Embodied Labs, Inc.: The Alfred Lab is a series of VR patient experience labs, training students to become better caregivers of aging populations.
- Octothorpe LLC: The Irregular: Sherlock Holmes is a VR experience that uses critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork to explore subjects such as chemistry and psychology.
- Osso VR Inc.: Osso VR is an orthopedic surgical training simulation platform that specializes in realistic, hands-on interaction.
- Smart Sparrow: LifeCraft explores the story of life on Earth through various VR journeys ranging from archeology and biology to astronomy.
The finalists will each receive $50,000 and various prizes, along with the opportunity to move onto the final round with a grand prize of $430,000. The competition is funded by Sec. 114 National Activities in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. To learn more, you can visit the EdSim Challenge website.
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