WaterCAVE
WaterCAVE
About WaterCAVE
WaterCAVE is a virtual reality (VR) module that will allow K-12 students and educators to understand how water utilities and wastewater treatment plants work through virtual simulations. Educators and school districts can arrange for field trips to visit the Rowan University VR Center in Camden, New Jersey. Once there, students can receive immersive experiences that foster curiosity.
The Virtual Reality (VR) Center at Rowan University is an ongoing project funded by both government and industry interests. It consists of a team of experts who develop innovative virtual reality and augmented reality applications. The VR Center, located at the Rowan/Rutgers Joint Health Sciences Center in Camden, New Jersey, and the South Jersey Tech Park in Mantua, New Jersey, offers a one-of-a-kind collaborative environment built to support cutting-edge research by the University's students and faculty for community, nonprofit, government, and corporate clients.
The Design Process
Interactivity Workflow Chart
Interactivity workflow chart depicting the different steps that the students will encounter through the VR simulation. Students will have the opportunity to customize their tour guide (avatar) before they begin the tour. They will then be given a brief introduction and taken to an interactive map where they can pick and choose which portion of the water treatment step they would like to learn about first. Each step will play a short animation explaining the importance of this portion and how it is related to the rest of the water treatment process. After this animation the students will be brought into a scene similar to the animated portion where they will meet various employees that they can interact with to learn more about their roles and responsibilities.
Storyboard Sequence
Storyboard sequence for the introductory portion where the customized avatar will introduce themselves and proceed to start the tour.
Avatars and Scenery
A small sample of the various combinations of features the students can create when customizing their avatar. Freckles, moles, and other accessories are to be added to the customizable options. The mouth will be animated which is why it is currently omitted.
An internal glimpse at the skeletal structures of the Avatars. These "skeletons" are animated to make the avatars move.
Preview of one of the environmental scenes within the Unity Game engine where that tour begins for the students.
WaterCAVE Preview
Character Design Scene
Portion of Introduction
Preliminary Treatment Building
Primary Treatment Clarifiers
Secondary and Tertiary Scene
