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Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology 3D Modeling Class Recreates Charlotte's Historic Brooklyn Neighborhood

Four years ago, Brandon Lunsford, Archivist and Director of Library Services at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), began a project funded by National Parks Services, National Archives, and Knight Foundation to recreate urban renewal neighborhoods in augmented reality programs. Since then, and with the facilitation of the Dottie Rose Foundation, JCSU has collaborated with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to bring this project to CTE classrooms, the first one being a 3D Modeling class at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology.

As part of the Unity Pathway program, students learn to build and code video games and virtual reality spaces. This particular class is the first to begin building the components that make up the Historic Brooklyn Neighborhood that existed in Second Ward of Uptown Charlotte in the late 1800's / early 1900's.

Learn more about how augmented and virtual reality programs such as that can serve as a powerful and engaging educational tool for both creators and public audience!