MYPros members learn basics of virtual reality

Matthew Leon Guerrero, in virtual reality gear, showcases the provided VR as other student participants watch him during the MYPros Virtual and Augmented Reality showcase last Monday at the American Memorial Park’s indoor auditorium (MARC A. VENUS).

Young professionals in the CNMI were introduced last Monday to the concept of virtual reality and augmented reality at the American Memorial Park’s indoor auditorium to give them an idea of its potential for innovative applications.

In the VR and AR showcase headed by MYPros interim director Chris Delos Santos and Sean Wybrant from Open Reef Innovations, some members of the Marianas Young Professionals, or MYPros, became familiar with the idea of virtual reality and its many possibilities for businesses.

The two just came off from holding virtual reality and augmented reality classes at Kagman High School from last July 8 to July 26.

Wybrant said said the students went through four hours of instruction every day for three weeks focusing on VR, AR, photogrammetry (the art of creating 3D models from pictures), applications on 360-degree photography, programming, and more.

The students also learned to create VR experiences for commercial applications for the JZ Group Inc., creating a virtual reality real estate app for the CNMI that could possibly be used by real estate companies on the island.

A total of nine students participated in this showcase, with a couple of students attending the event for the second time. Delos Santos and Wybrant said that they preferred keeping the number of participants low so they could delve deeper into the subject.

Recent Marianas High School graduate Matthew Leon Guerrero, who is planning to major in Computer Sciences at the Western Oregon University, said this showcase was his second; he attended last year’s showcase. He noted that this was the first time the group focused on VR and AR and its many possibilities for businesses in the future, with society advancing into the digital age. Leon Guerrero said he and another member of the group are planning to create a VR experience for those interested in attending WOU.

Delos Santos thanked the JZ Group Inc. for being a main sponsor of this year’s event

Wybrant is from Colorado and teaches at the William J. Palmer High School. He met with MYPros executive director Gerard van Gils during the 2017 Teacher of the Year conference in the U.S. mainland and then connected about the possibility of introducing VR and AR to MYPros participants.

For more information about MYPros, email them at exec.g@mypros.org or visit the group’s website at mypros.org.