TORONTO, ON – October 9th, 2017 – SESQUI, a Canada 150 Signature Project and Historica Canada are bringing innovative, immersive productions to students and educators during Canada’s milestone year.

With back to school 2017, Historica Canada will distribute 400,000 Virtual Reality (VR) viewers to schools in every province and territory. The VR viewers will be used to access SESQUI’s free-for-download VR app, MERIDIAN. The app features six original stories that introduce students to Canadians shaping their world through creativity profiled in interactive VR environments

A special feature in the SESQUI app is the 360° film HORIZON – A Visual Symphony of Canada, a breathtaking odyssey of Canada’s landscapes, peoples and freedoms. Historica Canada has created a comprehensive, bilingual Education Guide to accompany the film. The guide and associated worksheets can be accessed online, to help educators and students connect the 360˚ video experience with curriculum-relevant topics in geography, history, social studies, Indigenous studies and art. SESQUI also offers an online Learning Hub with additional resources covering a full curriculum for educators.

Classrooms that don’t have access to VR viewers can still use SESQUI content and Historica Canada’s education material in their schools. SESQUI has made HORIZON available as a 360° video on YouTube and Vimeo, which educators can screen with their class. The Education Guide is geared towards grades 7-12, but the video is appropriate for all ages.

“We are pleased to be able to work with Historica Canada and Canada 150 to bring SESQUI immersive content into classrooms across Canada, after our slate of summer events that reached Canadians of all ages,” said Andrea Stewart, Executive Producer, SESQUI. “HORIZON and our five MERIDIAN VR stories provide a springboard for discussion about creativity, culture and the innovative spirit of Canada. Ensuring that message inspires youth is a key mandate for us.”

“Through the partnership of SESQUI and Historica Canada, students across Canada will have the opportunity to experience the SESQUI immersive multimedia journey in their schools,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “As we celebrate Canada 150, I am delighted that this initiative will provide students and teachers with a new and innovative way to learn about our past.”

“Not every student has a chance to see all of Canada, so HORIZON provides a great opportunity to instead bring Canada to them,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. “We think the combination of offering a wide range of Canadian stories and perspectives through interactive technology provides a whole new way of learning about our country.”

The Historica Canada online education guide is made available here: http://www.exploresesqui.ca

SESQUI’s Learning Hub can be accessed here: http://sesqui.ca/en/learn/

The HORIZON film can be accessed in 360° here (not all browsers support 360°): http://www.sesqui.ca/en/horizon-a-360-journey/

Available for free download, MERIDIAN VR presents a central menu space that evolves as the user views the content and can be viewed in all major VR store environments:
• Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sesqui.cardboard&hl=en
• Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sesqui-vr-meridian/id1240015420?mt=8
• Oculus: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/1339156882838156/

For a full download of MERIDIAN’s story descriptions, links and stores, go to: http://sesqui.ca/en/vr/

 

 

ABOUT SESQUI:
With a vision to see and understand Canada in new and inspiring ways: SESQUI is a revolutionary
360° cinematic journey into the heart of Canada. SESQUI aims to engage millions of Canadians through its full dome and virtual reality content, online activities and learning programs that showcase the best in Canadian arts and innovation. SESQUI is a Canada 150 Signature Initiative poised to lead celebrations in Canadian communities this year. www.sesqui.ca, #SESQUI2017 #MERIDIANVR

ABOUT HISTORICA CANADA:
Historica Canada is the country’s largest organization dedicated to enhancing awareness of Canada’s history and citizenship. Some of our programs include Heritage Minutes, The Canadian Encyclopedia, and The Memory Project. For more information, visit www.historicacanada.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

SESQUI:
Sean Moffitt | SESQUI Head of Marketing & Communications
sean@sesqui.ca | 416-458-2818

HISTORICA CANADA:
Andrea Hall | Senior Communications Coordinator
ahall@historicacanada.ca | 416-506-1867 x 261

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