Trying Failing and Trying Again Or When is

Trying, Failing and Trying Again *Or When is a Petting Zoo Not a Petting Zoo?

Intro • Who are we? • Why are we here?

First we tried… • Took model that worked for teen demographic and applied it to our adult programs • Welcome to the Future: VR Petting Zoo* was born

…Then we failed Not having a real or Virtual Petting Zoo Some of our tech failed Structure or lack thereof Lack of information on how it is currently being used • Safety concerns and social anxiety • •

So we tried again! • Still started with an icebreaker • Created more structure • Prepped the technology earlier • Took more time setting up expectations • Teen Volunteer

Intro to Virtual Reality What is virtual reality? VR is the computer-generated simulation of images or whole environments that can be experienced using special electronic equipment. What is the difference between VR and AR? VR immerses you in a virtual environment while AR starts with the real world and overlays virtual objects (The most well-know example is Pokemon Go).

VR and Libraries

Different ways VR is being used • • • Guangzhou Zoo Treatment of PTSD Training Doctors Retirement homes Gaming Art modeling

VR Hardware • • • Headset to cover eyes Wires and more wires! Handheld component Base Stations Cellphone, tablet, computer Still early days – can be temperamental

What to expect • Immersive experience • Do things you will never do in real life • Can play alone or with friends • It can be overstimulating • Best experienced with breaks

Your turn! • • HTC Vive – Try out the Tilt Brush or Ritchie’s Plank Experience Google Cardboard – Try out Urban Hike demo to visit Paris and Rome Merge Goggles and Cubes – Hold ancient artifacts in your hands Coming soon: – Oculus Go!

Useful apps

Success! • • Positive Feedback in the program and via email Sense of enjoyment and a more positive feeling from participants We continue to learn and adapt our programming If at first you don’t succeed try and try again!

QUESTIONS?