River of Grass: An Immersive, Interactive Exhibit

Experience the Florida Everglades through Virtual Reality

The 'River of Grass' exhibit is a unique blend of technology and education, designed to engage young children in learning about the Florida Everglades and its inhabitants. The exhibit uses 16 projectors and 7 networked motion detectors to create a virtual reality environment that children can interact with. The designers have incorporated games and activities that children are familiar with, such as hide and seek, to make the learning experience more engaging.

One of the key features of the exhibit is the use of props that affect the digital environment. For example, children can use log props to change the water flow in the virtual Everglades, or use flashlights to find nocturnal animals. This interactive element is designed to stimulate understanding and curiosity about the Everglades and its wildlife.

The exhibit was created using a custom C++ software application, which was developed for the procedural animations of animals and water flow. This allows visitors to interact with the digital animals and water in real-time. The exhibit also uses a directional audio system to enhance the immersive experience.

The 'River of Grass' exhibit was conceptualized and prototyped between November 2015 and April 2016, and was fully developed and produced between July 2016 and April 2017. It was opened to the public at the Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida in May 2017.

The exhibit has been recognized for its innovative approach to education and technology, and was awarded the Golden A' Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.