Are you passionate about leveraging technology for environmental education? Do you have a knack for game development or environmental sciences? Here's your chance to make a difference and win exciting prizes 🏆 !

The project: We are thrilled to introduce the VU-TUal Reality project aimed at revolutionizing interdisciplinary student learning at Vrije Universiteit (IVM) and partner universities. In collaboration with the University of Twente (ET-MWM), we have conducted pilot tests to identify gaps in existing VR applications/games. Our goal is to integrate VR simulations into climate and environmental modules and promote inclusivity and sustainability by democratizing learning through immersive experiences.

The Hackathon:  This hackathon aims to develop VR games focusing on environmental sciences education by addressing the energy/water/food nexus. Selected groups will have the opportunity to refine their ideas and develop them into full-fledged VR games with support from VU's Demonstrator Lab, computer scientists, and environmental scientists from Vrije Universiteit (VU) and the University of Twente (UT).

• Date: 21/06/24 to 23/06/24 (we start a 5pm on Friday for the onboarding, Saturday is a whole day for the hackathon and presentations are in the morning of Sunday) 

• Location: VU Amsterdam

• Prizes: Two winning groups will receive monetary awards to co-develop their game with VU. Winners will also receive mentoring for three months post-hackathon. *

*The prize entails 10k per game but this is bound to the delivery of the full game after the hackathon. More information on how the money will be provided and under which conditions will be displayed on our website and to all the participants before the hackathon. 

Drinks and food will be provided during the hackathon, and if you are from outside Amsterdam support for lodging is possible upon request (up to 30 euros a night). 

How to Sign Up: Individuals or teams passionate about environmental sciences, game development, computer sciences, or related fields are invited to sign up for the hackathon. For the ones that sign up as individuals, you will have the possibility to form your team will on the first day of the hackathon, ensuring a balanced mix of computer sciences/AI students and environmental sciences students. Together, we'll embark on an exciting journey to create impactful VR games for education!

Please keep in mind that based on your entries in the sign-up form the team will evaluate it and make the decision on the selected participants for this hackathon (as there is a cap on the number of participants).

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to drive change through technology and education. Sign up now and be a part of something extraordinary!

For inquiries and sign-ups, please contact ana.cassanti@vu.nl.

Let's revolutionize environmental education through virtual reality! 🌍🎮