The Great Experiment
A peer-reviewed educational virtual reality experience set at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Created by Warren R. Hofstra and Mohammad F. Obeid, with Kevin R. Hardwick and J.J. Ruscella
HIGHLIGHTS
- A five-level interactive and educational experience
- Peer-reviewed on historical and technical merits through UVA Press
- Professional voice acting and motion capture
- High-fidelity 3D scans of the interior of Independence Hall and statues for the rendering of historical figures
- Representing years of collaborative work between scholars and students
SUMMARY
An Innovative Approach to Teaching History and the Art of Debate
Peer-reviewed by UVA Press, “The Great Experiment” utilizes spatial computing to transform historical study into an immersive, participatory encounter with the past. By placing participants within a meticulously reconstructed 1787 Constitutional Convention, this VR platform transcends the traditional boundaries of text and film to foster a profound cognitive engagement with eighteenth-century political thought. Through a sophisticated five-stage pedagogical framework, users progress from observing foundational debates on the executive branch to embodying delegates in live, rational deliberation. The project bridges the gap between rigorous academic inquiry and transformative educational technology, offering a powerful platform for both scholarly exploration and modern civic learning.