A recent success of Google Expeditions virtual reality gear in some Fayette County classrooms led to a Sept. 19 vote by the Fayette County Board of Education to purchase additional kits costing $24,000.
The purchase will accommodate 60 students and can be used for a variety of academic courses. The Google Expeditions virtual reality gear gives students the ability to take a field trip without leaving the classroom.
The purchase includes $20,000 for two Google Expeditions kits to serve 60 students, $900 for 90 screen protectors and $300 for 10 View-Master Virtual Reality starter packs.
The purchase will compliment the 20 units currently available for check-out to schools.
The units are purchased with one-percent sales tax revenues.
Teachers and students from Rising Starr Middle School showed off a new learning tool to the school board on Sept. 6.
School board members and many in the audience tried out the headwear, which looked similar to the old Viewmaster, but with obvious updates.
Expeditions is outfitted with a gyroscope, magnetometer and accelerometer, all of which are essential for determining orientation and doing head-tracking in the virtual reality viewer.
Staff said there are currently 230 virtual expedition choices available.
