A virtual reality application for stimulating environmental literacy and pro-environmental actions.

ECoVR

Virtual reality opens new possibilities for environmental education, going beyond traditional methods like textbooks and lectures. We’ve developed ECoVR, an innovative virtual reality application that teaches Dutch high school students about climate change, biodiversity loss, and the impact of food choices. Through an engaging virtual lecture delivered by a scientist avatar, interactive questions, and a dynamic choice game, students experience environmental concepts firsthand. This unique combination of immersive technology and interactive elements helps students better understand and retain complex environmental information.

This ECoVR application was developed by ECoLab members Marijn Meijers and Zeph van Berlo, collaborating closely with Rob Belleman and Joey van der Kaaij from the  Visualisation Lab, combining expertise in environmental communication with virtual reality technology.

Interested in learning more about this innovative educational tool? Continue reading below for details about the components, development process, and impact.







Youth are a vital target group when it comes to stimulating environmental literacy and pro-environmental actions.
Immersive Learning Through Virtual Reality

In an era where environmental challenges demand urgent attention, we’ve developed an innovative virtual reality application that transforms how Dutch high school students learn about climate change and biodiversity. Through immersive technology, students don’t just read about environmental issues – they experience them firsthand in a vibrant virtual world.

Three Dynamic Components for Maximum Impact
1. Virtual Lecture

Students step into a lush virtual rainforest where they meet a scientist avatar who guides them through an engaging lecture. The journey starts with an exploration of Earth’s remarkable ecosystems – from the vibrant life of rainforests to the mysterious depths of our oceans, from majestic polar landscapes to the diverse savannas. Students learn how these ecosystems are interconnected, forming a complex web of life that maintains our planet’s balance.

Through carefully designed segments, students discover the connections between food production, biodiversity, and climate change. Interactive questions throughout the lecture help students process and retain this information, following established educational principles that show improved learning outcomes when information is segmented and includes active participation.

2. Interactive Choice Game

The game places students in an environment that responds dynamically to their food choices. Students make four consecutive food selections, and each choice visibly transforms the virtual environment around them. The impact of their choices becomes immediately apparent – choosing high-impact foods gradually transforms the lush environment into a more barren landscape, while selecting more sustainable options maintains or restores the environment’s vitality. This interactive experience helps students understand how their individual choices can contribute to environmental protection.

 
3. Practical Action Steps

The experience concludes with concrete, achievable steps for environmental action. Students receive practical tips that emphasize both individual and collective impact:

  • Consider reducing portion sizes of meat, particularly beef, as even small reductions can have significant environmental benefits
  • Explore gradually incorporating plant-based alternatives, such as starting with one meat-free meal per week
  • Make sustainable choices when eating out, like trying vegetarian options
  • Engage friends and family in environmental discussions, as collective action is key to addressing environmental challenges

These suggestions acknowledge that dietary changes are personal choices while providing students with practical tools to reduce their environmental impact if they choose to do so.

 
Behind the Scenes: Creating ECoVR

This project represents a successful collaboration between ECoLab and the Visualisation Lab. Our team combined expertise in environmental communication, educational design, and virtual reality technology. Using motion capture technology and detailed environmental modeling, we created an authentic virtual environment complete with rainforest flora and fauna.

First Findings

Our initial field study with 227 Dutch high school students (ages 15-18) has shown promising results. Students demonstrated increased knowledge about climate change and biodiversity, and – perhaps most importantly – developed stronger beliefs in their ability to contribute to environmental protection through dietary choices. The research team, including postdoctoral researcher Birthe Lehmann and junior researcher Annabelle Gielen, conducted studies across various high schools in the Netherlands.

Interested in the ECoVR application?

ECoVR represents a new approach to environmental education, one that combines scientific insights with engaging technology. By providing students with knowledge, demonstrating impact, and offering practical steps for change, we aim to empower the next generation to make informed decisions about their environmental impact.

[Note: The ECoVR application is currently available in Dutch.]

Are you an educator or researcher interested in using ECoVR? Contact us at meijers [@] uva [dot] nl to learn more about implementing this innovative tool in your educational program or research.