Inland Oil Spill Preparedness Program

This project focused on developing immersive virtual reality (VR) training modules to enhance conservation training on mussel assessment techniques, specifically for inland oil spill response. Dr. Matthew Hull at Virginia Tech led the interdisciplinary team with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a series of 2D and 360-degree VR modules. These modules converted written response protocols into dynamic training experiences, providing conservation professionals with hands-on, immersive learning tools that simulated real-world spill environments. This approach aimed to improve training efficacy by engaging users with interactive, real-world scenarios.

The VR modules are designed for flexible deployment and range from simple mobile phone access to advanced VR headsets and large communal training spaces. The project included an introductory video, multiple educational modules, and VR "deep dives," all tailored for seamless integration into various learning management systems. The ultimate goal was to enhance the effectiveness of conservation training while fostering partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations.