Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Texas K–12 District Utilizes Federal Grant Money for VR Equipment

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/05/23

The San Isidro Independent School District in south Texas recently announced that it used a federal grant program to purchase virtual reality (VR) headsets for its middle- and high-school students, according to a news release. The district was one of 13 in the Texas Region One Educational Services Center service area to take advantage of the “GEAR UP Pathways to the Future” grant to purchase ClassVR from Avantis Education.

ClassVR is an all-in-one VR/AR headset that features thousands of pieces of educational content across a variety of K–12 subject areas. The package features all hardware and software, tools, training, and support and implementation services needed for school administrators to deploy the technology. Content ranges from the inside of an atom to an Arctic encounter with polar bears to a WWI trench.

“The GEAR UP program has been great for bringing technology and training to our district,” said San Isidro ISD’s GEAR UP facilitator, Cristobal Vela. “ClassVR provides an excellent opportunity to have students experience places that they otherwise would never be able to visit.”

The news release reports that Avantis recently aligned more than 400 of its ClassVR lessons to meet U.S. state standards in science, English/language arts, and social studies. ClassVR equipment qualifies for both the GEAR UP grant and ESSER funds through its ability to help teachers address learning loss.

“Utilizing grant funding for ClassVR is really a great way to support equity in schools because it gives students access to cutting-edge technology and allows those who might not have had opportunities to travel, to experience different places through the power of virtual reality,” said Huw Williams, CEO of Avantis Education. “GEAR UP grants offer a great opportunity to bring technologies like ClassVR into schools to help enhance lessons and support academic success in secondary school and beyond.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • California District Opens New Robotics Center

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) in Cupertino, Calif., recently held a Grand Opening ceremony for a new, district-wide Robotics Center, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA); Landmark Constructors served as the builder and Blach Construction as general construction manager.

  • Growing Allied Health Workforce Demands Fueling Greater Need for Higher Education Facilities

    With the demand for healthcare professionals at an all-time high, colleges and universities are challenged with supporting the workforce demands in their own communities. Careers in allied health generally require specific training and/or certification, with some positions requiring degrees, certified credentials, and continuing education.

  • CSU Starts Construction on New Engineering Building

    Colorado State University in Denver, Colo., recently began clearing space for the construction of the new Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building, according to a news release.

  • R.I. District Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Elementary School

    Cranston Public Schools in Cranston, R.I., recently announced the completion of Gladstone Elementary School, according to a news release. The 100,000-square-foot facility serves as a replacement for the 1950s-era former building, and it consolidates the student, faculty, and staff populations of Gladstone and Arlington Elementary Schools.