The public was invited to explore the Marquette Area Public Schools Makerspace virtual reality tour at Marquette Senior High School recently. Bodhi White, a seventh grader at Bothwell Middle School, tries out a VR activity at the event. (Journal Photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — The public was recently invited to explore the Marquette Area Public Schools Makerspace at Marquette Senior High School.

Event attendees had the chance to try out virtual reality, or VR, technology through various interactive games and to see how it is enhancing educational opportunities in schools. There were four stations that included HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets.

Student volunteers and Becky Simmons, a Marquette teacher and MAPS Makerspace director, were present to facilitate the evening and answer questions.

“It was great for us to open it up to the public and give people a chance to try new technologies,” Simmons said about the event.

She defined a makerspace as “a space that involves different things applying technology and hands-on learning.”

Students designed and outfitted the facility, even building computers for the VR stations. To make the program more relevant, Simmons and her students spent a great deal of time researching the educational uses of VR technologies. They looked at everything from how it might impact job training, to how it might change doctor-patient relationships.

The MAPS Makerspace gives students an opportunity to work with tools and resources for a 21st century job market. Students have access to and learn to use 3-D printers, robotics, coding, virtual reality devices, 360-degree video and more.

“It’s a place within our school where students can use technology and use it in many different class applications,” Simmons said.

Bodhi White, a seventh-grader at Bothwell Middle School, tried one of the VR stations and described the experience.

“You feel like you’re there, and I feel like that’s pretty cool,” he said.

The space is available to rent for private parties. For more information and to stay updated on future events, follow MAPS Makerspace on Facebook.

Corey Kelly can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is photos@miningjournal.net.