Explore Extended Reality (ie. Virtual/Mixed/Augmented Reality) experiences

There are an ever-growing number of VR and AR experiences that can be used for academic purposes. Here is a curated list of VR and AR apps and experiences that may be of interest; some of these are mentioned below.

Arts and Music

  • Maestro is a virtual conductor application that has a free demo available; it uses the VR headset’s handtracking to further enhance the experience of conducting an orchestra.

  • VRtuos is an augmented reality experience similar to Beat Saber where you have a notes fall directly onto your piano’s keyboard. You can also connect a midi piano.

Language apps and experiences

  • Language Lab is an app that offers language learning in a virtual environment.

  • Mondly is an app that offers language learning in a virtual environment that offers chatbot and speech recognition.

Museums and Exhibitions

Sciences

  • Arkio Description from Quest store: “import reference images, 3D models and scenes from Unity, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, LiDAR apps and more.” Free/monthly pricing. Mac app appears more limited than pc app.

  • Inspirit features 3d models and VR experiences for Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics classes. Update 2026: Inspirit is no longer a VR platform.

  • Nanome allows you to explore molecules in either an augmented or virtual reality environment. You can view molecular models, expand them to room size, rotate them, and more, and have multiple viewers explore molecular structures at the same time. Great for chemistry and biology.

Notable VR experiences

  • Anne Frank is a VR experience where you can explore the house of Anne Frank virtually.

  • Arkio Description from Quest store: “import reference images, 3D models and scenes from Unity, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, LiDAR apps and more.” Free/monthly pricing. Mac app appears more limited than pc app.

  • Hamilton in VR allows you to watch the musical performance of “Wait For It” in an immersive 360 video experience.

  • JFK Memento is an immerisve 360 video detailing the JFK assasination.

  • Journey to the edge of space takes you to the 90,000 feet into the stratosphere.

  • Mission:ISS is an immersive exploration of the International Space Station. Read a review at space.com.

  • Nanome allows you to explore molecules in either an augmented or virtual reality environment. You can view molecular models, expand them to room size, rotate them, and more, and have multiple viewers explore molecular structures at the same time. Great for chemistry and biology.

  • Sketchfab A 3d model repository; often times the models can be viewed in VR on the Sketchfab website as well

  • Space Explorers: The ISS Experience is another immersive experience by the Felix and Paul Studios.

  • Traveling While Black explores the history of race relations in the United States. Read a review of the experience in The Guardian. The experience is best viewed in the Felix and Paul studios app, which also has several other notable experiences.

Immersive Videos

Sociology/Social Commentary/Empathy

VR communities and social rooms

  • Frame gives you the ability to create your own VR space and hold meetings

VR Creation apps

  • Arkio Description from Quest store: “import reference images, 3D models and scenes from Unity, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, LiDAR apps and more.” Free/monthly pricing. Mac app appears more limited than pc app.

  • Artsteps gives the ability to create VR experiences.

  • Frame gives you the ability to create your own VR space and hold meetings

  • Sketchfab A 3d model repository; often times the models can be viewed in VR on the Sketchfab website as well

  • Spatial offers the ability to create and hold meetings. Update June 2026: Unfortunately, this platform will no longer be offering free worlds/resources, so it is no longer recommended as a place.

  • Tilt Brush is a great app where you can created virtual 3d artwork.

  • Unity is a game creation app that can create VR and AR experiences for headsets as well as websites.

Useful VR apps and websites

  • Sidequest is a useful site to explore apps that are not in the official Quest store. Often these are more indie apps and experiences, and are definitely worth exploring, as often these apps are added to the Oculus store.

360 video apps & content

Listing of apps coming soon!