Google reached out to school technology departments across the state to offer a virtual reality experience like none other. Lufkin ISD technology director, Brad Stewart and executive director of professional & digital learning, Rafranz Davis, applied, and the students at Lufkin Middle School were welcomed to be one of the first in the world to try out Google’s newly updated augmented reality software system.
Stewart said, “Google’s new software system was updated last night making our students one of the first in the world to use it. This system allows our students to view science lessons through augmented reality, to bring computer images into our world.” 
A representative from Google brought phones, QR codes and imagination with her to show the students. The students were wowed with images of hurricanes, muscles, planet systems and much more.
Stewart said, “Students were allowed to see tornadoes through layers on the tables right in front of their faces in 3 dimension.”
According to Google, expeditions bring immersive computing to schools, which brings abstract concepts to life and gives students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. Expeditions VR was introduced in 2015 and allowed teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips, immersing students in experiences. This has rolled out globally on Android and iOS, and thus far, over 2 million students have gone on VR Expeditions. While nothing replaces hopping on the bus for a field trip, Expeditions provides an unparalleled opportunity for supplemental learning.
Stewart said, “Utilizing this type of software in the classroom really gives the administrators opportunities to explore new ways of teaching for Lufkin in the future.”