Students Step Into Sustainable Forestry with ForestVR™ and Forestry Corporation NSW

How do you make the world of forests, sustainability, and tech careers come alive for students? At the recent Try a Trade & Employment Expo in Tumut, NSW, Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) did just that — giving students an immersive and hands-on look at modern forestry using ForestLearning’s ForestVR™.

With everything from drone technologies and eucalyptus leaves to ForestVR virtual reality headsets on display, students discovered how forestry careers blend science, technology, environmental stewardship and practical skills — all aligned with the real-world curriculum topics many teachers are already covering in subjects like science, geography, and design & technologies.

Hands-on Learning with Real-World Tools

At the FCNSW booth, students were invited to:

• Touch and explore native and plantation species like eucalyptus and pine
• See forestry tech in action with drone demos and interactive mapping apps
• Connect to careers through casual conversations with team members in both boots and suits — showing the wide range of pathways in forestry
• Experience ForestVR™,  stepping into Australian forests to witness 30 years of forest growth and management, sustainable harvesting with high-tech machinery, and advanced timber processing using laser scanners and ultrasound. They also experienced a “day in the life” of forestry professionals — from environmental foresters to wood processing cadets — gaining insight into real-world careers and sustainable forest management in action.

“ForestVR provided students the ultimate immersive experience,” said Billie-Jo Brown, Southern Planning Manager at FCNSW.

As this event showed, students are eager to explore the environment in new ways — especially when it’s immersive, interactive, and real. ForestVR™ helps teachers introduce complex topics like forest cycles, land use, and sustainable design in a way that’s engaging, visual, and curriculum-aligned.

Industry Education Champions can bring ForestVR™ to Your School or Event

ForestVR™ headset loan kits are available for ForestLearning Industry Education Champions to use in schools and at community events — completely free (just cover postage). Schools are welcome to reach out to ForestLearning to explore more of how industry champions can get involved in your classrooms in your region. So far, more than 100,000 students across Australia have taken part!

ForestVR™ in the Classroom — Anytime

ForestVR™ is also freely accessible in any classroom via iOS and Android apps, or using any device your school already owns (e.g. smartboards, laptops, tablets) via a web browser. This national award-winning tool is perfect for:

• Geography units
• Design and Technologies (e.g. sustainable materials)
• Science (e.g. life cycles, plant adaptations)
• Events such as careers days, Science Week, D&T Week, National Schools Tree Day, or sustainability projects

Learn more here: www.forestlearning.edu.au/forestvr