Sciences Participating with Arts & Culture in Education

The INFINITE:A Unique View of Space

The INFINITE exhibition at the PHI Centre is a great experience that I would recommend to anyone. Visitors are given Virtual Reality headsets and a space to walk around. They can explore the ISS (International Space Station) and interact with mini video capsules in a timed semi-guided tour. This VR component is novel, immersive and effective at showing the experience of being in the ISS. The VR headsets are advanced. They operate without any wires and cumbersome extra equipment. They are able to both detect the user's hands and other users while displaying the 360 VR space. This power was used to seamlessly integrate real-life movement and the virtual space, allowing users to use physical actions to interact with the virtual objects around them. This really made the experience immersive on a personal scale while making users connected socially by allowing them to see others experiencing the exhibition. This technology creates a unique view of the ISS that can not be replicated from any form of typical media. Its scope truly allows the users to wonder at the achievements of humanity and appreciate the vast unknown of Infinite space. This sense of wonder is enjoyable but there are other important reasons to embark on space exploration. 

Space exploration is important for society because it fosters innovation and advances the human race. Humans are teleological creatures and we need goals to keep progressing our society. Space exploration presents an infinite possibility of goals. These goals, big or small, encourage humans to work to build and develop new technologies. Once successful these projects allow us to collect data and test theories. These new discoveries can lead to more innovation and new perspectives on nature. This results in better technology and more diverse views on nature indirectly benefiting everyone in society. This cycle is infinite for space exploration. As long as humans are willing to set goals we will never run out of things to do in space. It is the final frontier in which we have barely begun to understand and explore. It is only in space where we can always explore further, understand better and protect the future of our species. 

The exhibition also allowed me to appreciate what it takes to be an astronaut in space on the ISS. Immense talent and perseverance are required to live and work in the ISS. All the astronauts worked incredibly hard and had the immense talent to complete the rigorous training to get to the ISS. They are also talented in their exceptional attitudes. Despite the stress of working and living in space, they are happy and positive. They genuinely enjoy their experience and appreciate every moment. They play around and have fun while understanding the importance of their role. They are always thankful for being given the rare opportunity to experience space. I truly appreciated their way of thinking as it is essential in motivating them to work and live on the ISS. 

At the end of the exhibition, I looked back at the empty room which Virtual Reality technology transformed into an amazing three-dimensional space. I spent nearly an hour standing in a blank room with a headset exploring the ISS. It made me realize the power of Virtual Reality. Virtual Reality refers to a simulated experience that can or can not resemble reality. I believe that this technology is the future means of consuming media. It is incredibly immersive and completely takes over your sense of sight and sound. These two senses combined with their ability to give physical feedback allow the technology to simulate a physical space in 360. This can have countless applications in social media, gaming, entertainment and as well as in  business and education. The last applications are particularly important as it moves VR from a leisurely technology to a practical one. The most notable example of the effectiveness of virtual spaces is teleworking due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Millions of working people and students had to use virtual spaces to learn and work. We can attest that our current technology and infrastructure limited the effectiveness of these interactions compared to in-person interactions. In the future, VR can enhance these virtual spaces and make them immersive.  VR can become equal or better than the latter option. People can reap the rewards of online work or school while being equally as engaged. Specifically, humans benefit from the reduced use of transportation in terms of a reduced carbon footprint and conservation of time. In conclusion, the power of VR technology will drive its future use in a variety of things. It is the technology of the future and we should look forwards to its benefits.