TATTS is always looking for ways to help our team members understand the world around them in new ways. In 2018 we built an Augmented Reality Sandbox using open source plans, used computer hardware and awesome woodworking skills from our volunteers (shown in light green to the left).
Once built, we developed a simple curriculum around it and took it into the field to use with our members. Although it’s heavy and hard to move around, it has been a huge success.
The AR Sand Box gives us 2 major benefits:
- Helps TATTS members translate what the see through the drone into a physical reality, and
- Brings a sensory element to the discussion as they manipulate the sand, make “rain” or “lava” flow, or make roads and place cars and trees in the sand.
Below is a video of the AR Sandbox as built by Craig Beals of ‘Beals Science’ fame. The video gives a feel for what we’re doing to build it and seeing it in action.