What is VAST?

The Virtual Academic Software Trust, VAST, provides equal access to technology education resources for students of all economic levels, in urban to rural communities alike. Through the VAST program any company can donate academic software to schools throughout North America. The VAST program supports education in 3D visualization, animation and simulation technologies, applicable to careers in art, communications, design, engineering and science. School and teacher benefits include access to state-of-the-art software, training and curricula. The program is free for primary schools, secondary schools, adult schools and approved youth programs. The program is also free for school administrators and faculty of any grade level, including both full-time and part-time college instructors.

VAST also helps communities articulate digital content creation courses and science/design visualization courses between their high schools and colleges. Our interdisciplinary, trans-institutional approach introduces new students to the full range of career paths in fields utilizing virtual content, while helping them advance to more specialized college studies as they refine their chosen path. This approach also benefits schools by opening the program to students that would otherwise be sequestered in different school departments, such as art, CAD, computer science, etc., and by connecting them to the resources of their community’s colleges. VAST also helps colleges expand programs with additional high school students qualified to take advanced classes, which can otherwise be hard to fill from just the population of students at the college.

In addition, VAST provides teacher training, curriculum development and online instructional assistance. Our curriculum focuses on task accomplishment and portfolio development, exposing students to existing and emerging industry standards and practices, traditional skills and job resources.

How can I participate?

VAST is currently open to schools and teachers throughout North America (except for online schools). If you are teaching now or scheduled to teach next semester you are eligible to join the program. Upon verification of your academic status you will be granted access to the VAST teacher web site, where you will be able to download software, tutorials and support materials, as well as connect to live training sessions.

If you have a company that would like to donate software to schools please contact us.