National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

Using Technology to Open a Window into Marine Life Behind the Scenes

In Checheng Township, Pingtung County, lies a rarely seen part of NMMBA: the backstage area. Though closed to general visitors, this is where some of the most important and routine work happens.

In this project, no.X partnered with NMMBA to bring this space beyond the glass of public exhibits. Through VR technology, teachers, students, and the general public can now step inside and better understand what happens behind the scenes—how marine life is cared for, rehabilitated, and connected to the broader ecological system.

Places That Can’t Always Be Visited Still Deserve to Be Seen

Schools often bring students to NMMBA on field trips. However, due to complex layouts and safety considerations, the backstage areas are typically off-limits for self-guided tours and require staff-led visits.

Yet, the questions students are most curious about are often not “What kind of fish is this?” but rather:

“Where do they live when not on display?”

“How are they taken care of?”

“How do you know when they’re sick?”

The answers to those questions lie backstage.

So we worked with the education team to ask a new question:

If we can’t bring everyone into the real space, can we let them step into a virtual version of it?

Not just passively watching a video—but interacting, exploring, and learning in a self-directed way.

Navigating Complex Spaces with MiraVenue Technology

Using no.X’s MiraVenue system, we addressed the backstage’s biggest challenge: it’s a space not designed for free exploration.

With our 3D virtual environment, users can freely navigate through the space as if they were physically present—making the experience intuitive and helping visitors better understand the flow and function of the backstage layout.

More Than Just a Tour—A Fully Immersive Educational Experience

The backstage VR system was built using Matterport to capture the physical space, then layered with interactive multimedia content. The result is a flexible tool that can support classrooms, outreach programs, and even self-guided online exploration.

Visitors can explore the space and interact with:

🟢 3D models of sea turtles, learning about different species, their habitats, and threats they face

🟢 Live visuals of animal care tanks, showing the real environments where animals are raised

🟢 Simple diagrams and expanded educational content, offering more context and background

These features don’t just show the backstage—they tell a story:

That caring for marine animals isn’t just a job, but a shared responsibility to protect our natural world.

From Behind the Scenes to Public Understanding

Since launching the system, we’ve seen direct and meaningful impact across multiple areas:

✔ Teachers can introduce the space before field trips, building curiosity

✔ Post-visit sessions can be enriched with review and discussion

✔ Remote schools and students can still experience the space without needing to travel

✔ General visitors gain access to stories and processes they would otherwise never see

And perhaps most importantly, students start to understand that sea turtle rescue isn’t just about saving one animal—it’s about protecting the entire ocean ecosystem.

Technology That Supports, Not Replaces, the Mission of Education

Throughout the process, the NMMBA team shared valuable insights that helped shape the final system, including:

📌 Featuring rescued sea turtles and their medical care journey

📌 Emphasizing human impact on marine life, such as pollution and plastic waste

📌 Creating a long-term, updateable educational platform to grow with the museum’s needs

This collaboration reminded us:

A great digital tour doesn’t replace physical visits—it expands their meaning and reach.

Not Every Place Can Be Seen in Person—But It Can Still Be Understood

Some spaces will never be open to the public. But with the right technology, we can help more people understand what goes on inside.

If you have a space, a story, or a mission worth sharing—we’d love to help you bring it to life.

Read more：https://n010.com/works/nmmba

Website：https://educentervr.nmmba.gov.tw