Inspiration
We were inspired by the growing markets of Virtual Reality and the growing need to learn applicable computer systems. We wanted to merge these two worlds and create a learning experience on VR, specifically fundamental data types and functions. Thunder Struct is intended to create a bridge between the world of VR and this growing need to teach and learn computer science concepts.
What it does
Thunder Struct teaches the fundamentals of computer science using the VR space to visualize data structures, operations, and functions. Instead of teaching a specific language, it focuses on teaching universal concepts that all languages contain. These include basic data types like integers, strings, and booleans, as well as more complex data structures like arrays, stacks, and queues.
Our current prototype showcases the basic interactions of the game. The player is able to walk around in a room, that represents the current level/challenge, read level instructions and labels of objects, and interact with objects that represent data.
How we built it
We used the Unity game engine to develop our first demo and showcase how a user can interact with objects and learn how to utilize fundamental data types and functions. This current prototype was coded using C# scripts. We also used Quest 2 headsets for our project.
Challenges we ran into
None of us had used Unity before. In the process of developing our demo, we also had to learn how to properly navigate the application through tutorials and Unity documentation. This created the biggest challenge in our project, slowing us down significantly.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Our idea itself is one that has yet to have been introduced to the VR space. All of us have a passion for learning and recognize the importance of understanding basic computer science principles. We are very proud of our idea and how further into its development it may have a very real and positive impact on helping users learn complex concepts and computer skills.
We are very proud to have developed this project on Unity, an application none of us were previously familiar with. The learning curve was a steep one and seeing our progress in less than 24 hours was mind-blowing.
What we learned
We learned a lot about how to use Unity, going from complete novices to being able to construct a functional prototype using the system. Most of us were also unfamiliar with the C# language, so a few of us also had to quickly adapt to the new syntax. We also learned a lot about VR applications and how they can be utilized in teaching basic principles.
What's next for Thunder Struct
Our demonstration is at its core a simple representation of what our idea can be. We plan to create an assortment of different levels allowing users to explore a wide range of topics, ranging from introductory topics like booleans, loops, and simple data structures to complex concepts like algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, and more! Another idea that we had was to show code block examples of how certain concepts and topics might be implemented (for example, a Set of integers). We would do this by having a button where the user can see a snippet of code from a variety of coding languages. We hope to continue developing Thunder Struct and hone our abilities with Unity. Eventually, we hope to have a product where a user can effectively learn and operate in a VR environment.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.