Application for

Snapping Shoals EMC

Mini-Grants
Cover Sheet

Name: Shericka Jefferson

School: Edwards Middle School

Project Title: Makin’ it Real with Virtual Reality

PRINCIPAL’S APPROVAL

___________________________________ _____________________
Principal’s Signature Date

All applications – must be RECEIVED via email no later than

Friday, September 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Please contact tknutsen1@rockdale.k12.ga.us with any questions -
DO NOT contact the Snapping Shoals Offices.
Project Title: Makin’ it Real with Virtual Reality

Please respond FULLY to all questions.

1. Why is this project needed? Include data that demonstrate and support the need. For

example, who are the target participants and why is funding needed for your project?

Since the beginning of their educational career, the 59 English Learners in my

school have had to overcome numerous challenges including being immersed in an

environment in which they have encountered difficulty understanding and

communicating with their teachers and peers. Several students have also been identified

as having learning disabilities. According to their most recent ACCESS Test scores,

speaking and writing are domains of English proficiency these students struggle with.

Research and the constructivist learning theory emphasize combining sensory input, prior

knowledge, and new information to develop new meaning and understanding through

authentic, active, cooperative, and reflective learning activities. Access to virtual reality

technology will aide in this development. This project will motivate EL students to

practice speaking and writing so that they can increase their English-speaking proficiency

and become better writers.

2. Based on the need described in Question 1, write a broad statement explaining what the

project will achieve. This statement should be no more than three sentences. (What is the

goal of your project?)

Virtual reality allows students to be immersed in various places, cultures, and

perspectives that might otherwise be impossible to experience or too dangerous to

experience in a classroom while enjoying the safety of a secure environment. This type of

distraction-free, sense stimulating, hands-on learning is more engaging, realistic,

 memorable, and impactful than typical instructional methods and allows students to

circumvent barriers that are common to understanding topics. Through the use of virtual

reality, the EL students will benefit by increasing by one or more bands in the domains of

speaking and writing on the ACCESS Test in 2024.

3. Provide a detailed description of your project plan and how you will achieve the

goal(s) from Question 2. What activities/materials/resources/technology will you use to

accomplish your project’s goal?

Students will use a Meta Quest 2 stand-alone virtual reality headset to be

immersed in a virtual world experience. During these experiences, students will

participate in virtual field trips using YouTube 360 videos, Meta apps, and downloaded

content to actively engage in experiences relevant to their grade level standards. These

virtual field trips include going back in history to experience WWII from the ground to

understand what the atmosphere was like, becoming a character in a fictional or historical

3-D story, touring the solar system and manipulating objects in it, and experiencing

potential and kinetic energy as they ride a virtual roller coaster. Afterwards, students will

participate in content focused discussions with their peers and teacher(s) to describe and

reflect on their experience and get a deeper understanding of the vocabulary and content.

They will then use the vocabulary and content in their writing to further cement their

learning.

After each use of the Meta Quest VR headsets, they will be disinfected with Wet

Wipes. When students have finished using them for the day, they will be placed in hard

carrying cases, and stored in a locked storage cabinet. They will be charged as needed

using the VR charging stations designed specifically for them which will be powered
 through the multi-outlet power strip. The VR headset cleaning kits will be used weekly,

or more often if needed, to deep clean the VR headsets and remove any dust particles

from the headsets and lenses. In case of an accident, they will be covered by the 2-year

protection plan.

The technology that will be used to accomplish this project are as follows:

 Two (2) Meta Quest 2 128GB all-in-one stand-alone virtual reality headsets

 Two (2) VR charging stations for Meta Quest 2

The materials that will be needed are as follows:

 One (1) metal rotating mountable multi-outlet power strip

 Two (2) VR Headset cleaning kits

 Two (2) Comecase hard carrying cases for Meta Quest 2

 Five (5) Wet Ones hand and face wipes singles 24 ct (6 pack)

4. How will you measure the success of your project? How will you share that with

Snapping Shoals EMC?

The project’s success will be measured by the number of students increasing by

one or more proficiency level bands in the speaking and writing domains as indicated by

their 2024 ACCESS Test scores. Snapping Shoals EMC will receive a summary of this

data.

5. Describe how your project idea is transferable. (How could it be helpful to other

educators or benefit students in subsequent school years?)

Students’ abilities to speak and write to communicate in English is essential for

their success each school year. Increasing students’ vocabulary and understanding of the

concepts and skills they are currently learning in middle school will help increase their
 confidence and preparedness for future learning and communication in high school and

beyond. The materials in this project can also be used each year while building a

collection of resources that will effectively integrate this technology into instructional

standards.

6. When will your project begin? October 2023 End? May 2024

Budget - What are the costs of each program component? Please be as specific as possible –

details are important. Where did you get these figures? Are all your expenses connected to

your project description (Question 4)?

Each of the materials, supplies, technology, and technology protection can be found

on Amazon. All of the expenses are connected to the project description.

a. Materials and supplies:

Two (2) Comecase hard carrying cases for Meta Quest 2 @ $39.99 x 2 = $79.98

Two (2) Aocii VR Headset cleaning kits @ $14.99 x 2 = $29.98

One (1) HHSOET metal 360 degree rotating mountable multi-outlet power strip @

$29.99

Five (5) Wet Ones hand and face wipes singles 24 ct (6 pack) @ $17.88 X 5 = $89.40

b. Honoraria for speakers: ________________________________________

c. Transportation costs: __________________________________________

d. Registration fees: ____________________________________________

e. Technology:

Two (2) Meta Quest 2 128GB all-in-one virtual reality headsets @ $299.00 x 2 = $598.00

Two (2) D. Gruoiza VR charging stations for Meta Quest 2 @ $54.89 x 2 = $109.78

f. Other:
 Two (2) year coverage for accidental drops, spills, etc. protection (for Meta Quest 2 VR

headsets) @ $26.99 x 2 = $53.98

TOTAL: $991.11

Additional information that the judges may find helpful as they review your project: