Step into a space equipped with 28 gaming PCs, Secret Lab gaming chairs, and VR headsets for eSports gaming, game development, cybersecurity education, and more.
It’s a complete gaming experience – from cutting-edge tech to dazzling lighting effects that’ll keep you immersed.
Founded in 2018, the Ballarat Tech School is a Victorian State Government funded initiative hosted by Australia’s Federation University.Conceived as a hub for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the school engages students in a high-tech learning environment, using innovative programs challenging them to solve problems in a real-world context.
The school’s tech support and innovation specialist, Albert Ferguson, recently unveiled their spectacular new VR room – complete with a fully-customisable RGB lighting system powered by ENTTEC gear. We spoke with him about this exciting development and what impact it’s likely to have on the students.
Ballarat Tech School ‘s Albert Ferguson
ENTTEC: The VR room is looking great! What was the inspiration behind using customisable LED pixel lighting as an integral part of its design?
ALBERT: Firstly, I knew that the lighting would allow us to make the room look less like a classroom for the students.
So, whether it is an actual class or just a group doing an eSports event, they can walk in and immediately be excited to participate in a bright, colourful room.
What’s more, it gives us the ability to change the lighting to match the class groups, for example, each area of the room could have a different colour matching a team colour.
ENTTEC: That sounds like a great way to make learning more fun.
So, having decided that this was what you wanted, how did you go about designing and installing LED layout in the VR room? What were some key considerations in this process?
ALBERT: The design was done with the help of the ENTTEC team. We outlined the room and what we hoped to achieve, and the team designed a layout that would fit the budget.
Installation was done by our staff, installing the strips into aluminium extrusions, with local electricians doing the physical installation and wiring. We then completed the setup and programming ourselves as the instructions were well documented online.
As for our key considerations – they were the cost, scalability and ability to have other users manage the room without too much support.
ENTTEC: What made you decide on integrating ENTTEC lighting software and controllers?
ALBERT: ELM (ENTTEC LED Mapper) software and S-Play show controllers were chosen for the ease of use and ability to manage the control simply.
The lighting schemes are designed using ENTTEC ELM software and are triggered or played back using an ENTTEC S-PLAY show controller.
ENTTEC: Were there any specific challenges with the setup? Does it do everything you hoped it would?
ALBERT: The hardest part was integrating the Art-Net config with the existing network, which we solved by switching from multicast to unicast configuration. Other than that, it was very easy to set up, and really gives the room the look and feel we were hoping for. Also, the system has many more capabilities we haven’t even investigated yet!
ENTTEC: In what ways has the lighting enhanced the achievement of any curriculum aims or programs run in the VR room?
ALBERT: The lighting has allowed us to make the room more flexible, where it can be a normal classroom without distraction when required, but when we want to make it feel less like a classroom, a simple change of the lighting dramatically changes the atmosphere of the room.
We use the lighting to show which teams are located on each desk in the room, or when a team wins, we make the room that colour.
Some of our one-off programs are themed, and the room allows us to set up the room to match. For example, we did an alien invasion program and set the room in an “alien” colour.
We are also thinking we could show team progress on the ceiling, using the lights as a sort of progress bar.
ENTTEC: Most importantly, what do the students think of all of this?
ALBERT: Our students are always very excited by the room and are surprised when we switch the room over from white lighting to colours.
ENTTEC: Do you see other tech educational institutions considering a similar lighting upgrade? What does the future look like for VR rooms and the activities/educational programs they can offer for students?
ALBERT: We are already having other areas of the university or visitors asking how we did the lighting, so I think it is something they will keep in mind for future upgrades.
VR is still evolving so I think setting up rooms for flexibility is the key, as it allows adapting to changes to the technology as it happens.
ENTTEC: Thanks Albert!
Video courtesy of Ballarat Tech School