Last Friday, Shenandoah University proudly launched The Great Experiment, a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) project developed over five years by the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL). This immersive experience places participants at the heart of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where they can relive and engage with the intense debates over the creation of the Electoral College.

The event, hosted at the university's Hub for Innovators, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs (HIVE), celebrated the culmination of a collaboration involving historians, virtual reality experts, and students from various academic disciplines. The immersive simulation brings history to life, providing an authentic and interactive environment where users can debate alongside figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. The experience aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities behind the U.S. Constitution by allowing users to step into the shoes of the Founders themselves.

Project principles are: J.J. Ruscella, the Chief Immersive Officer and EVP at AccessVR; Dr. Kevin Hardwicke, Professor of history at JMU; Dr. Warren Hofstra, Stewart Bell Professor of History at Shenandoah; and Dr. Mohammad Obeid, Associate Professor of Virtual and Augmented Reality at SU . The project has garnered attention from historians and technologists alike, demonstrating the powerful role of VR in enhancing educational experiences​.

The launch marks a significant moment in the intersection of history and technology, with The Great Experiment offering not only an educational tool for students and educators but also a compelling platform for museums, libraries, and history enthusiasts worldwide​.