Ellis Computer Science Students Visit Oculus VR
Ellis students visited the Oculus Research Office based in Pittsburgh to learn more about the rapidly evolving state of virtual reality. The Oakland office serves as an innovation and research hub for the company which manufactures and specializes in virtual reality hardware and software products.
Accompanied by Middle and Upper School Computer Science Teacher, Michele Lombardi, and Director of Educational Technology, Tim Howard, Ellis students met with two Oculus employees––a research scientist and a character artist––and heard about the potential applications of virtual reality outside of gaming and the work culture at a company like Oculus.
Character Artist Sahana Vijai spoke about her career path and the educational background that led her to a more creative position within the tech powerhouse. As a lover of drawing and art with a passion for technology, Vijai’s attraction to Oculus was evident as her position merges computer science with creativity. Not only did Vijai serve as a strong female role model to Ellis students, she showed that there are many avenues to explore as a STEAM professional.
“The experience at Oculus gave students the chance to see––in person––what careers in Computer Science look like. Students saw firsthand that you don’t necessarily need to be a programmer to be in the tech industry, but that those skills serve as the the foundation for many careers within the field,” said Ms. Lombardi.
Following the Q&A session with Oculus professionals, students had the chance to demo the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and Touch controllers. The fully immersive, 3D gaming experience introduced students to the exclusive world of virtual reality for the first time. As 21st technology quickly evolves, the virtual reality market is on track to grow 57% to a $33.9 billion industry by 2022. This increasing demand is sure to ignite even more growth in the computer science and informational technology sector, and will coincide with the job searches of current students as they enter the job market.
“Some of these students are planning to pursue computer science or engineering after graduation, so to be at Oculus and see what kind of opportunities are available was really beneficial,” said Ms. Lombardi.
This unique exposure to the tech industry gives Upper School students a glimpse of what a path in computer science can look like as they prepare for college applications and decisions. Ellis aims to integrate coursework with relevant, real-world experiences like the Oculus trip so students can succeed in the classroom, at college, and in the professional world. As faculty empower students to think outside the box, take risks, and lead with confidence, Ellis girls are primed to be the scientists, programmers, and trailblazers of tomorrow.
Learn more about Computer Science in the Upper School here.
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