The Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal province developed a platform where students can go on a field trip virtually.

Masungi 360 is the first digital learning platform that offers an immersive, educational experience on Philippine native and endemic biodiversity, featuring real-life stories of rural communities and challenges of conservation on the ground, its website said.

It also offered a gamified learning experience with three virtual learning trails, along with a management system for schools to track their students’ progress.

Before the pandemic, the foundation had partnerships with more than 40 schools for reforestation activities. Since students can no longer go on field trips, it decided to take the field trip to the students through Masungi 360.

“Being with nature, touching it, being at awe with it, contributes to child development, mental health, and social awareness,” Billie Dumaliang, an advocacy officer and trustee of the Masungi Georeserve, said.

“The full experience cannot be captured in a virtual way, but we try our best to do so,” Dumaliang added.