Project CnVRg: Two student- created virtual reality video game projects unveiled at showcase event

This ain’t the school project you turned in. A local council, a global defence company and SA teachers have teamed up to build an extraordinary new workforce taught with video games.

Students from Adelaide’s northern suburbs have revealed their virtual reality adventure games they’ve developed over the past 18 months in a project funded by local council and one of the state’s biggest defence contractors.

Students from Elizabeth Downs Primary School and Playford International College showcased on Tuesday their projects made in participation of Project CnVRg (Converge), designed to teach skills in asset creation, 3D modelling, animation and story telling as part of their curriculum.

Elizabeth Downs year 6 students Alexia Jacobs and Benji Pacillo said their school’s underwater sci-fi adventure game was a proud moment for them as they built it from scratch.

“I would describe myself as a tech wizard who love storytelling and coding,” 11-year-old Benji said.

The loading screen for Elizabeth Downs Primary's VR game that takes you through an underwater sci-fi escape story full of Easter eggs and hidden gems. Picture: Leah Smith

The main antagonist of the Elizabeth Downs project, who does not want the scientists to escape.

The Aquarium featured in the Elizabeth Downs project. The fish were first sculpted from clay before being scanned into 3D models.

“I’m an ideas man and enjoyed developing the architecture of the game and would love to see the books I write turned into a game.

“I’ve always had that dream to develop games and this has fulfilled a lifelong passion.”

Alexia doesn’t plan to use her learned skills in digital game tools like Tinkercad and Mixamo for her day job, but wants to animate on the side.

“I love to draw and create characters, you’ll see some of the mythical creatures I’ve modelled feature in our game,” Alexia said. “I love animation, I’d love to pursue that passion.”

Project CnVRg is a joint venture between BAE Systems Australia and Playford Council’s Northern Sound System, a specialty youth-focused venue dedicated to music and creative industries.

A short ride through the labs of the Elizabeth Downs Primary School experience in a pseudo train ride.

A scientist met in the introduction to the Elizabeth Downs Project. The character is the first to directly speak to players with all dialogue written by students. S

The Axolotl characters designed by Alexia Jacobs are being studied in the lab portion of the Elizabeth Downs experience.

The project aims to develop skills needed for the future of the South Australian work force in a fun way, a key point for BAE Systems, the international firm building the $45bn Hunter class frigates in Adelaide.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the CnVRg project connected young people to STEM career opportunities, which aligned to one of our city’s largest industries – defence.

“It has been rewarding to watch this project unfold and to have the Northern Sound System, our city’s prominent youth and creative hub, as a central base, where all the students’ ideas grew and their new skills developed,” Mr Docherty said.

“The advantage of this project is that it exposes our young people to the new jobs emerging in the programming, gaming and virtual reality industries.”

Playford International College students Sarge Torres and Kyle Jefferson-Ellard and Elizabeth Downs Primary School students Benji Pacillo and Alexia Jacobs, who have been learning in the CnVRg project. Picture: Supplied

Elizabeth Downs' Head of Alien Affairs Bob, the breakdancing alien players will meet on the way.

A screenshot of the Playford International College VR experience where players meet a witch. The space includes an animated cauldron and unique individual bookshelf arrangements.

The green entities found in this hallway of the Elizabeth Downs Schools' project are designed to chase the player if they do not exit the room fast enough.

The Playford International College's project is an eerie experience with dynamic lighting and creepy mannequins modelled by students.

Students have been provided opportunities to engage with industry professionals including CDW Studios, Flinders University, Northern Adelaide Senior College and Director of independent game development company Radcom Interactive, Shannon Cross.

BAE Systems Australia’s chief people officer Angela Wiggins said the project aimed to allow young students to learn creatively and experiment with their own interests, while keeping up with STEM subjects.

“Our engineers and technologists use their creativity every day to solve problems and design new products,” Ms Wiggins said

“CnVRg is a unique STEM outreach program that builds the bridge between creativity, design and engineering.

“We are committed to creating connections with our local communities and promoting STEM career opportunities.”

Up to 100 young students in the area will take part in the program over its two-year term, which is due to finish in mid-2024.