Junior University has been involved in the Virion Erasmus project from 2023 to 2025. Virion (Virtual Reality applied to school education) is an Erasmus+ project aimed at improving STEM skills in European schools through virtual reality. Through this project, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology through new learning environments.
The Virion project has developed four virtual reality-based learning environments designed for students aged 14–18. In these environments, students can actively participate and learn immersively, as if they were part of an experimental setting where theoretical knowledge becomes tangible at a practical level. Virtual reality offers young people a completely new way to explore scientific phenomena that may be difficult to implement in a traditional classroom setting.
At the beginning of the project, three teachers from Lappeenranta attended training in Madrid, where they were introduced to the work packages and the use of VR equipment. The goal was to ensure that the teachers could effectively use VR headsets in teaching and utilize the materials developed in the project. After the Madrid training, the teachers were able to use the learning environments in their own teaching and share the skills they had learned with their colleagues. During the pilot phase, approximately 500 students from Lappeenranta schools participated in the project.
Junior University acquired 11 Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headsets, which allowed students and teachers to participate in workshops and seminars. During these events, around 600 young people, children, and teachers from various schools were reached. The workshops and seminars have provided both practical and theoretical knowledge on how virtual reality can enrich traditional teaching and make learning more engaging and interactive.
In the future, virtual reality headsets and the developed content will be a key part of the activities offered by Junior University in Lappeenranta and Lahti. The Virion project is a great example of how international cooperation projects can enrich local education and offer students the chance to develop their skills using modern technology. Junior University is proud to be a part of this development and looks forward to what the future holds for virtual reality and STEM education.
