Virtual plant cell explores the inner world of a plant
: Outcomes of ARC supported research | To engage the wider community in their fundamental understanding of the world, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology has created a number of targeted education, training and outreach programs, aimed at schools, farmers, teachers, universities, science museums, field days, careers festivals and even pubs. Image: The Virtual Plant Cell uses virtual reality technology to engage the community in plant science and connect audiences to plant energy biology research. Image credit: Plant Energy Biology. Photographer: James Campbell. 7 Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence toured festivals around Australia during National Science Week 2016 and 2017 using VPC to connect the community with plant biotechnology and the real-world agricultural challenges being addressed through research. Pioneering VPC classroom activities are being used to engage students in plant science and instil a passion for plant research. Outreach that creates positive public dialogue about science is an important activity of the ARC Centre of Excellence, to give Australians a better understanding of the importance of plants and their amazing ability to capture, convert and use energy. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology , led by Professor Harvey Millar at The University of Western Australia, is making its world-class research more accessible to the general public through the innovative use of virtual reality. The Virtual Plant Cell (VPC) lets people explore the sub-microscopic inner world of a plant in an immersive way. Public audiences get the opportunity to interact with a plant cell and learn about complex processes studied by local scientists.
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