Title : XRAqua: Bridging aquaponics and extended reality for an immersive learning experience
Abstract:
As the challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, and STEM education converge, the need for innovative, interdisciplinary learning approaches has never been greater. XRAqua is a pioneering initiative that merges aquaponics with extended reality (XR), offering a hybrid educational platform that transforms how students engage with sustainable food production. This project integrates a physical aquaponics system with an interactive XR environment, allowing learners to monitor, experiment, and make data-driven decisions in both real and virtual spaces.
By early June 2025, the pilot aquaponics system will have been operating for 2.5 months, providing initial data on system performance, productivity, and resource efficiency. Simultaneously, the first version of the virtual reality platform will be in its testing phase, with students interacting with the digital twin for 2 to 4 weeks. Early findings suggest that combining real-time IoT-based system monitoring with immersive VR simulations significantly enhances student engagement, scientific literacy, and understanding of circular food production principles.
This presentation will showcase the technological innovations, educational impacts, and preliminary results of XRAqua, highlighting how this blended learning approach fosters a new generation of environmentally conscious thinkers and practitioners. By integrating cutting-edge AI-driven analytics, gamified learning experiences, and real-time aquaponics data, XRAqua stands at the intersection of sustainable aquaculture, digital transformation, and education, a model that could be replicated globally to advance knowledge in blue and green technologies.
Join us in exploring how XR-enhanced aquaponics can revolutionize science education, food production training, and sustainability awareness for future generations.
