This is a proof of concept of RISE, an augmented reality (AR) mobile app. RISE renders the nearest coastal city to the user with their location data  in a diorama with a simulated sea level based on projected and scientific data from NASA. In the creation of RISE, we are investigating the climate crisis by examining the rising sea levels and using the medium of 3D production and AR to visualize our exploration. This app would be created as an educational tool as well as an immersive experience in order to create an emotional connection for the user and to raise awareness of the climate crisis.

With an intuitive and straightforward user interface, RISE is designed to be an easy-to-use app. Users will be able to jump right in when their phones can detect a flat plane in AR with the rear camera. The app will communicate with the phone and determine the user's closest coastal city. A model of the city will be rendered on the plane. Each 3D city available will have its own unique landmark. In this proof of concept, you can see Charlottetown’s St-Dunstan’s basilica. Users then will have the ability to advance in time with a slider to change the year from 2020 to 2150. The program uses the sea level data and automatically updates the number indicating sea level depending on the year. The model will also reflect the sea level as the water rises and floods the street and buildings. Additionally, users can dive deeper into the sea level projection by going to Scenario to change how the sea level is projected. There will also be a page where users can access links to learn more about climate change and climate activism.

The driving force behind the RISE project is primarily its educational objectives. RISE steps in as an educational, interactive and playful platform which portrays the near-future effects of environmental decline. Then, with AR, it is easier to raise more awareness among all ages, especially students, thanks to its significant influence on the teaching and learning process. The experience can also invoke a discussion to question our impact on the environment. Ultimately, we want to observe how this environment that allows experimentation improves on people’s learning experience and ability to absorb new information.