Christchurch tech firms team up for geoscience education tool

Two prominent Christchurch-based technology firms have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking educational tool designed to address the global shortage of earth scientists. The new web application, Visible Geology, is a collaboration between geoscience software company Seequent and game development studio CerebralFix. This innovative software aims to revolutionise how key geological concepts are taught to students worldwide.

Visible Geology offers a free, immersive 3D modelling experience that goes beyond traditional 2D and paper-based teaching methods. It is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, removing barriers to entry and encouraging more students to explore the earth sciences. The app is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the declining number of earth science enrolments globally.

Both companies have significant expertise in their respective fields. Seequent, headquartered in Christchurch, is known for its world-leading technology in earth sciences, while CerebralFix has cemented its reputation by working with high-profile clients such as Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. Together, they have created an intuitive tool that blends immersive gaming with educational content.

"Everyone at Seequent is passionate about inspiring the next generation of earth scientists," said Graham Grant, CEO of Seequent. "We know how critical earth scientists are to understanding the earth's resources and solving some of the world's most urgent and complex challenges—from climate resilience to the energy transition. With falling enrolments and older professionals retiring, there is a workforce crisis ahead that is set to impact our way of life. That's why we have taken our world-leading expertise in earth science software and brought in gaming experts CerebralFix to build Visible Geology and have decided to make it available to everyone, for free."

The decline in enrolments is particularly striking in various parts of the world. Universities are witnessing a significant decrease in the number of students pursuing geoscience degrees. In Australia, there has been a 40% drop in geoscience students completing their education over the past eight years. The United Kingdom has experienced a 43% decrease in geology students since 2014. In the United States, the American Geosciences Institute has projected a workforce deficit of 130,000 geoscientists by 2030.

"Video games have an incredible ability to transform education by blending immersive experiences with interactive learning," said Chelsea Rapp, Co-CEO of CerebralFix. "They are much more than just entertainment; applications like Visible Geology are dynamic tools that empower learners to explore and experiment in ways that traditional methods cannot match."

The utility of this new tool is already being felt within academic circles. Dr Kate Pedley, a Geology Lecturer at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, was involved in the testing process of Visible Geology with her students. She has begun incorporating it into her undergraduate courses. "Visible Geology is intuitive and easy to use. Students can play around with it and have a bit of fun, and it builds understanding in a way that complicated 2D maps can't. Visible Geology builds a bridge for students to the professional geoscience software they will use in their careers," said Dr Pedley.

The launch of Visible Geology is complemented by an academic program from Seequent, involving an international network of students, educators, and researchers. This program utilises Seequent's professional software at more than 500 leading universities worldwide, available at low or no cost to advance the understanding of the earth.

The collaboration between Seequent and CerebralFix highlights a new approach to tackling a growing issue in earth sciences education, the company states. By merging the realms of geoscience and gaming, the Visible Geology app offers a novel solution that could inspire the next generation of earth scientists, ensuring that critical environmental and resource management challenges can be met in the future.