ANSTO XR

Bringing Nuclear Science to Life with VR and AR Learning Experiences

VR Learning Simulations

Events & Activations

Summary

ANSTO is one of Australia's largest public research organisations and is widely recognised as an international player in the field of nuclear science and technology. As part of a concerted strategy to engage students and the public at large, the ANSTO XR app was commissioned to make nuclear science fun, deeply engaging and accessible to students across the country.

Start Beyond developed a suite of VR learning solutions that enabled ANSTO to deliver immersive virtual reality experiences at trade shows and public events in groups of up to fifty at a time, as well as a smartphone app that enabled students to interact with scientific posters in their school and colleges.

Students bring the Periodic Table of Elements to life in AR

Thousands of schools have the ANSTO Periodic Table of Elements poster mounted in science labs across the country. Using their smartphones, students are invited to scan the posters and watch the elements jump out of the screen. Each element is brought to life with rich spatial audio, videos and 3D animation, providing students with a fun and engaging way to learn more about atomic composition and the practical ways the elements are used in our everyday lives.

Interactive VR video tours inside a nuclear reactor

VR interface titled 'Put a Neutron to Work' showing a central atomic nucleus model with three branching paths labeled Make Nuclear Medicine (heart icon), Irradiate Silicon (satellite icon with Enter button), and Conduct an Experiment (crystal lattice icon), set against a dark, starry background.

For the first time, students are able to go deep inside the OPAL Reactor and the Australian Synchrotron to see how they operate and to explore the fascinating ways the technology enriches our every day lives.

Each guided tour can be used as a self-managed learning experience with students empowered to choose the subjects of most interest or it can be simulcast to large audiences for public events and trade shows.

A hand holds a smartphone displaying the 'Australian Synchrotron' virtual reality experience app, with 'Play on phone' and 'Play on cardboard' buttons, while a group of school children looks on in the background.

360-degree VR view inside a nuclear research facility showing two technicians in protective coveralls on an elevated platform above a large circular metal tank, with on-screen navigation buttons for Return Home, Go Back, and Restart Video, and a Resume play button.

Available to download here

Project Gallery

A closer look at the projects we've brought to life — from concept to final experience.

360-degree animated VR scene of a low-poly blue airplane flying through a starry night sky above a green landscape with dark cave-like openings and low-poly cloud shapes.

Animated illustration of a neutron beam from a spherical reactor core passing through low-poly clouds toward a scientist in a lab coat viewing data on a monitor, set against a dark blue grid background.

360-degree panoramic view of a nuclear facility control room with a long curved desk of computer monitors and control panels, two staff seated at the desk, and a reception area with a third person visible in the background.

Abstract, glowing blue 3D-rendered tunnel or beamline interior with a textured, cave-like structure, representing a stylized view inside a nuclear research instrument.

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Angus Stevens

Angus Stevens is CEO and Co-Founder of Start Beyond, Australia's award-winning VR/AR studio, with over a decade building XR experiences and training solutions through spatial design and innovation. An international speaker and thought leader, he's an active voice on LinkedIn.

Bringing Nuclear Science to Life with VR and AR Learning Experiences

Benefits

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Summary

Students bring the Periodic Table of Elements to life in AR

Interactive VR video tours inside a nuclear reactor

Available to download here

Project Gallery

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