VR Climate Science Simulation
Industry
Virtual Reality
Date
November 2025
Working with a team of four, we are currently developing a VR Climate Science Simulation Map of our university's campus. As a UX Designer and Researcher for this project, I was responsible for designing the UI elements, researching climate data, designing the user flow, and designing research posters/presentations.
Abstract
A significant challenge in climate science modeling is visualizing data in a way that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to a broad audience. By leveraging virtual reality’s (VR’s) immersive capabilities, this project will enable users to experience climate scenarios firsthand rather than relying solely on traditional 2D maps or numerical models. The Climate Science Modeling project will have an interactive 1:1 replica of Western Kentucky University's campus, which users can explore and learn about how different climate scenarios affect WKU’s campus. The data needed to create these climate scenarios will be pulled from various climate science case studies and repositories. Climate scenarios will include extreme heat, flooding as a result of rainfall, and snow and ice. In each of these scenarios, users will be able to interact with WKU’s campus to discover the safe and unsafe places to be on campus, and will be able to see a visual simulation of the event. This VR environment will serve as a long-term educational resource, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between climate scientists, engineers, urban planners, and emergency management professionals.
When walking into an area of extreme heat in the VR simulation, the program notifies you with a red vignette and text popup.
Approach
We are using the Unity game engine to develop the Climate Science Modeling Project software. The UI for this project was designed using Figma. All of the 3-D models in the VR simulation were created using Blender and Maya. We are using resources such as the National Weather Service and White Squirrel Weather to develop data sets for each simulation. The climate scenario that we have currently been focusing on has been extreme heat. We are integrating data such as average temperature, relative humidity, and the NWS heat index into the build to help create this simulation.
Each location on campus is labeled with the average temperature of that area.
Future Process
As development of this program progresses, additional climate scenarios and Western Kentucky University campus buildings will be integrated into the simulation. Ultimately, the program will feature a comprehensive virtual reality (VR) model of WKU’s campus, incorporating simulations of extreme heat events, flooding as a result of rainfall, and snow and ice accumulation. Upon completion of the program’s development phase, user testing will be conducted to evaluate navigability and usability.
The program is easily navigated through by using the HUD and wrist menu.
Research Poster
German, A. (2020, July). The heat is on: How hot common outdoor surfaces can get in the summer sun | whas11.com. WHAS11. https://www.whas11.com/article/weather/storm-team- blog/the-heat-is-on-how-hot-common-outdoor-surfaces-can-get-in-the-summer-sun/417-fc5c9290-7ce9-4498-a7ab-5cfc433f999f
US Department of Commerce, N. (2025, August 13). What is the heat index?. National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex
WKU Chaos Lab. (n.d.). White Squirrel Weather. WeatherSTEM. https://warren.weatherstem.com/wkuchaos
This project is currently being funded by a KY NSF EPSCoR Grant. Won 1st place at the ACMMSE Student Poster Presentation Competition.
