Sisler CREATE students build VR Seven Teachings tool

Students at École Secondaire Sisler High School are using animation and virtual reality to promote and increase awareness about reconciliation, empowerment and resilience.

Sisler’s CREATE program promotes creative arts through game design, animation, film, graphics and virtual reality. High school students experience different educational and career pathways into creative industries through the CREATE program.

Students begin in Grade 9, where they build foundational skills using a wide range of creative toolsets. As students progress through the program, they specialize in creative fields and apply their skills in project-based courses.

The Sisler CREATE student team includes Bailey Sanderson, Dana McCoy, Kiara Hare, Abigail Yates, Micaella Langit and Chiara Cacho. Among them are 3D artists, coders and prototypers.

Currently, they are working on an off-trail project that started in September 2021 and will be completed by June 2022.

“The students are working on an interactive virtual reality story about the Seven Sacred Teachings. We’re partnered with Eagle Vision Productions and the Downie Wenjack Fund,” said CREATE teacher Bernard Alibudbud.

The story is about a boy named Robin who gets lost in the forest and has no signal on his cell phone. His attempts to escape the forest only get him deeper into the woods.

“Suddenly, he gets a phone call from an Elder,” said Michaela Langit, a Sisler CREATE student. “The Elder helps Robin get out of the forest while teaching him about the Seven Teachings and the animals that represent each one.”

Viewers can put on their VR headsets and live in the forest as the main character in this virtual reality; and just like Robin, viewers can learn about the Seven Sacred Teachings as they go through the woods.

Upon completion, this project will be used by schools. The Downie Wenjack Fund will have the virtual reality experience available as part of a travelling resource kit; schools will also be able to download and use the VR experience in their classrooms.

Mr. Alibudbud said students honed many invaluable skill sets while working on the project.

“The students are learning how to collaborate by sharing ideas, taking correction and putting it back into the story. Timelines and deadlines need to be met. They have learnt how to have project management and work as a team,” Alibudbud said. “The students all bring different skills to the team.”

CREATE Program students and staff gave special thanks to their mentors during the project: Dinae Robinson and Rebecca Gibson of Eagle Vision; Lesley Klassen with Flipside XR; and the Downie Wenjack Fund’s Lisa Prinn.