The virtual reality definitely had an emotional impact on students. In a class like this, how to teach the Holocaust, the affective experience of the modality and the medium is significant… you want to stimulate discussion, and people had a lot to say about this.
Professor Matthew Kraus, Department Head, University of Cincinnati, Department of Judaic Studies
Discover the power of virtual reality to enhance Holocaust education through 360-degree immersive technology. “Walk” with Holocaust Survivors through childhood hometowns and concentration camps as they share their stories of survival, creating an unforgettable experience.
Based on Illinois Holocaust Museum’s award-winning virtual reality films A Promise Kept (watch trailer) and Don’t Forget Me (watch trailer), this experience is available for 7th – 12th grade & college/university classrooms, non-profit organizations, and libraries across the United States.
With A Promise Kept, journey to the notorious Auschwitz killing center and hear from Survivor Fritzie Fritzshall as she fulfills her promise to the 599 women who helped save her life. Don’t Forget Me bears witness to Survivor George Brent’s will to survive in the face of Nazi tyranny as he guides viewers through Auschwitz, Mauthausen, and Ebensee concentration camps.
Information on how to book this trunk, rates, and scholarship information are at the bottom of this page.
An Ethernet jack is required to provide internet connectivity for this experience. Please reach out to your IT administrator to ensure your school/organization has this capability.
Trunk Contents
Each individual trunk includes:
- 10x Meta Quest 2 headsets, pre-loaded with two VR Films (A Promise Kept and Don’t Forget Me)
- 10x pairs of hand controllers (2 per headset)
- 1x Power chargers for up to 10 headsets
- 1x tablet computer (with power cord) pre-loaded with Headjack software, allowing teachers to perform a simultaneous start on all headsets
- 1x Wi-Fi router
- 1x Set of instructions and troubleshooting tips
- 1x Inventory sheet
- Cleaning supplies
- Digital teaching guide with classroom activities and discussion questions for each film. Hard copy available upon request.
Pricing & Policies
- Minimum of 80 participants (1 trunk) / 160 participants (2 trunks) required for reservation.
- Cost: $500 per trunk (maximum of 2 trunks/20 headsets for $1,000). Financial Assistance is available – see below for scholarship application.
- Scholarship recipients are required to provide a letter of thanks to the trunk sponsor(s).
- Trunks are loaned out for approximately 2 weeks at a time.
- All sites are required to fill out pre and post evaluation forms.
When the trunk arrives at the designated site, each site representative must complete the enclosed inventory sheet to confirm that the item count and condition description match. If there are any discrepancies, the site representative must inform the Museum immediately.
Each site must provide a signed Letter of Liability to the Museum accepting responsibility for all trunk contents. If any contents are missing or destroyed, it is the responsibility of borrower to provide payment to the Museum for any missing or destroyed contents (up to a maximum $4,000 for complete replacement) upon return of the trunk at the conclusion of the loan period.
Mobile virtual reality trunks are generously sponsored by:
A project of The Kimberly Duchossois Family Global Immersive Technology Initiative
The Diana C. Hunter Trust
Spagat Family Virtual Reality Trunk Program
With additional support provided by:
The Harvey L. Miller Supporting Foundation
Carol Lavin Bernick Family Foundation
David P. Brody Charitable Trust
D & R Legacy Fund
Allan and Loretta Kaplan
Harry & Sadie Lasky Foundation
Max and Sunny Howard Memorial Foundation
Kimberly S. and Perry Shwachman
Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation
Dee Beaubien
Stanley and Graciela Wallach
Susan E. Miller