Bringing Antarctica to the World
The Trust’s education programme is growing stronger every year. Since late 2020 our education team have connected with over 11,000 people at schools and community venues all over New Zealand as well as shared the Trust’s digital resources with thousands more. Participants learn about New Zealand’s first presence in Antarctica from our experienced educators and take part in the Hillary’s Hut – Antarctica Virtual Reality (VR) Experience.
Over the last few months, the Trust has toured throughout New Zealand, and even showcased the VR experience to heritage, history and academia professionals from across the globe at the ICOMOS 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium held in Sydney, Australia.
The team also delivered the VR experience at an Antarctic Youth Reunion, a reuniting of participants in an Antarctic programme which gave young Kiwi volunteers the chance to spend time on the Ice from 1961 to 2008. It was special for our team to meet people who had worked with the early caretakers of the heroic-era huts before the Trust was formed in 1987. We were excited to take them back to Scott Base virtually, after many so years.
Kaylee, a student from the Write On Programme the Trust visited in August felt transported during the VR experience. “The VR was like being taken to a completely different world. It was amazing to see how they would’ve lived in Antarctica, the most unliveable but beautiful place on the globe,” said Kaylee.
Our Inspiring Explorers Education™ team will continue to tour the VR experience in 2024 with thanks to Dulux NZ our national tour sponsor. To book a visit to your school or community group contact us at education@nzaht.org.
