Omniscia | Devpost

Inspiration

The inspiration for Omniscia came from the limitations of traditional learning environments. Thinking back to my own experience in high school, I remembered how experiments were constrained by safety, resources, or time, and how textbooks often lacked the engaging, interactive elements needed to spark curiosity. I wanted to create a tool that could remove these barriers and make education accessible, immersive, and truly exciting.

What it does

Omniscia is a VR educational platform that redefines the way people learn by transforming traditional subjects into immersive, interactive experiences. Students can perform virtual chemistry experiments without the constraints of cost, time, or safety concerns, allowing them to explore scientific concepts in a hands-on way. History comes alive as users can travel back in time to witness pivotal moments or explore ancient civilizations firsthand. Additionally, Omniscia opens the doors to global museums and exhibitions, making world-class artifacts and knowledge accessible to anyone, anywhere. By creating experiences that are impossible or impractical in a traditional classroom, Omniscia makes learning engaging, impactful, and unforgettable.

How we built it

Omniscia was developed using Unity for its robust VR capabilities and cross-platform support. We used C# for scripting and integrated VR frameworks like Oculus SDK to create an intuitive and interactive environment. For content, we collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure historical accuracy and scientific validity. Features like realistic physics simulations and 3D modeling of artifacts were added to enhance the learning experience. For the Generative AI aspect, we fine-tuned a custom Gemini model to incorporate text explanation behind the interactions.

Challenges we ran into

One major challenge was designing a VR experience that balanced engagement with educational depth. It was critical to ensure that the platform didn’t feel like just a game but a valuable learning tool. Additionally, optimizing performance to run smoothly on various VR devices while maintaining high-quality visuals and interactions was a technical hurdle. Lastly, ensuring accessibility for diverse learners required extensive usability testing and design iteration.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

What we are proud of is successfully creating a platform that transforms traditional learning into an immersive and interactive experience, capable to be used by everyone. Building a realistic, hands-on chemistry simulations and historical reenactments that spark curiosity was something we were all passionate about. Finally, receiving positive feedback from educators and students who have tested the platform, and validated its impact on engagement and learning outcomes.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we gained a deeper appreciation for the potential of VR in revolutionizing education. We learned how immersive environments can significantly improve focus, retention, and confidence in learners. On the technical side, we discovered new approaches to VR development, optimization for user engagement, and balancing realism with educational value.

What's next for Omniscia

Omniscia has endless potential to expand into diverse curricula and even more complex, immersive experiences. Any setting that is impractical, too costly, unsafe, or intangible in real life can be brought to life through our platform. Imagine walking through the rings of Saturn, examining endangered ecosystems up close, or simulating intricate scientific phenomena—all within a virtual environment. Beyond traditional academics, Omniscia can also be adapted for hands-on training in labor-intensive fields like mechanic work or surgery, providing learners with realistic, risk-free practice environments. By bridging these gaps, Omniscia opens doors to learning experiences that simply can’t exist in a traditional classroom, empowering students and professionals alike to push the boundaries of discovery and skill development.