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Lassen Volcanic National Park Gets Augmented Reality Sandbox

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By NPT Staff - February 15th, 2016

A new high-tech, hands-on augmented reality sandbox at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California helps visitors better understand concepts relating to topography and watersheds.

Using the sandbox, you can mold miniature mountains, lakes and rivers using your hands. A projector mounted above the sandbox adds a dynamic topographic map with contour lines and elevation colors updated in real-time. Then you can add virtual rain and change the landscape during or after rainfall to see how different features affect the flow of water.

“We are excited to offer this cutting-edge technology as a tool for visitors of all ages to learn more about the park,” Park Superintendent Steve Gibbons said in a release. “It is easy to learn about things we can see and touch, and the sandbox brings a tangible element to abstract concepts.”

Visitors can dig into the new AR sandbox at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, currently open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. To see the AR Sandbox in action, go to this website. 

Students at nearby Corning High School donated the sandbox, which was initially constructed for the Maker Space at the Tehama District Fair with support from Rolling Hills Foundation and Lassen Park Foundation board member Scott Chandler and his wife, Dorothy. The team of 13 students replicated an original system developed through a National Science Foundation grant.

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