Bridging Education and Technology: Arsema’s VR-Powered Astronomy Workshops in Ethiopia

Arsema, from Ethiopia, describes her passion as “transforming education to make it more engaging, enjoyable, and accessible for students.”  In the summer of 2024, She brought her passion to fruition by partnering with the Ethiopian Space Science Society to introduce VR (Virtual Reality)- based STEM workshops, explicitly focusing on astronomy education to students around Ethiopia.

This project, part of Arsema’s Ashinaga Proposal, entails running immersive VR workshops that transcend traditional teaching methods to improve student understanding and curiosity in her home country. Through this work, Arsema aims to bridge the gap between technology and quality education more broadly to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators. Pursuing Majors in Psychology and Business Management at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Arsema won Ashinaga USA’s inaugural Ashinaga Proposal Research Grant after presenting her Proposal at the African Diaspora Investment Symposium in California in March 2024.

Arsema provided immersive 360-degree VR experiences in an Astronomy topic to nearly 100 student participants throughout the summer. 69% reported a significantly improved understanding of complex astronomical concepts, while 72% reported an increased enthusiasm toward the subject. Through immersion and realism, participants felt VR allowed them to “be in space,” improving visualization and understanding of abstract concepts, acting as a connector between theory and practical experience.

Arsema reflects on her experience by saying, “Being in Ethiopia was invaluable. It allowed me to observe how VR could bridge educational gaps firsthand. This experience revealed the importance of strengthening connections with local educators and organizations.”