The Challenge
Old Donation School (ODS), a Virginia Beach public school for gifted students in grades 2–8, had recently moved into a newly rebuilt, environmentally-friendly facility. The staff wanted a fun, engaging way to help students and families explore the building and showcase its many sustainability features. But they didn’t just want to tell a story; they wanted the students to help tell it.
The Solution
TechArk collaborated directly with ODS staff and eighth-grade students to co-create a mobile app and virtual tour experience. Students identified sustainability highlights throughout the building, like solar tubes, recycled terrazzo floors, and no-VOC paint, and wrote their own descriptions. Our team then developed a mobile app that uses beacons to trigger guided tours on visitors’ smartphones, offering educational and interactive content as they move through the space.
Key features included:
- Student-written content on sustainable design features
- Mobile app with beacon-triggered guided tours
- Multiple themed tour paths (Social Instructional, About ODS, Sustainability)
- Engaging, tech-forward experience tailored to students and families
The Results
Old Donation School now has a hands-on, tech-enhanced way to welcome families and highlight its commitment to sustainability. By involving students in the process, the school created an experience that’s educational, interactive, and uniquely their own.
