Applications Open for 2024-2025 PolarVR Fellowship

Apply now to be a part of the 2024-2025 PolarVR Fellowship to help develop Virtual Reality-based (VR) Library Experiences in hopes of engaging rural and Latine communities in Polar Science. The Fellowship brings together school and public librarians through a partnership between Field Day, WID Virtual Environments Group, PolarTrec, the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (UW-Madison), and the Library Services Team of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

School and public librarians in rural communities throughout Wisconsin are encouraged to apply to help envision and implement a series of new VR experiences. These experiences will focus on cutting edge research currently being done by scientists in the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. 

As a fellow, you will share your expertise as a librarian to help develop strategies and ideas for implementing the VR experiences at your library with Latine audiences. Each participant will get a new VR headset they can take back to their library. There are also additional headsets available to be checked out if needed for larger events or programming needs. While no game development skills or design experience is required, you should be prepared to engage in outreach with Latine members and groups in your community, and have an interest in using VR technologies as part of your programming.

Fellowship Activities Include: 

• Participate in a one-day, in-person project workshop and dinner event at UW-Madison on July 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM -7:00 PM. [Lodging and travel stipend provided if needed]
• Commit to implementing and reflecting on one or more Latine-focused VR experiences in your library space
• Support our team in evaluating the project-focused programming in your library
• Provide feedback (via surveys, interviews, and follow-up online meetings) on the design and implementation process and share what you learned through your involvement in the project
  
  *Note, 

  due to the goal of reaching a diverse range of libraries, only one librarian will be invited from any single library to participate in the July 17th workshop. Additional staff from a single library, however, are welcome to participate in other aspects of the program.

  
  ** As an added bonus, interested Fellows are invited to stay in Madison to attend the Play Make Learn Conference on July 18-19, in which registration fees and lodging for this can also be covered if needed.
  
  For additional details, please visit the Polar VR 2024 Fellowship Opportunity. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2024.
  
  REGISTER HERE
  
  This Fellowship is a chance to participate in games-and-libraries leadership in Wisconsin. If you feel this opportunity is the right fit for you and your library, and you are motivated to develop innovative programming intended to reach Latine and rural communities, apply today! If you have any questions, contact the DPI's Library Services Team Public Library Consultant Chris Baker at chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov.