PROTO Invention Factory will soon offer an educational game for future engineers.

In February 2026, school students will gain access to VirtuaLab – a learning game from PROTO’s educational programme that weaves together physical tasks and digital engineering challenges into one coherent learning experience. The activities support the integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, making it a strong example of STEAM education.

At the heart of the game is the creation and testing of an airship. Students must also consider the expectations of virtual clients who require an aircraft with specific characteristics. Throughout the game, students move seamlessly from real-world activities to a virtual laboratory, where they can test their engineering decisions and see whether their airship completes its mission.

VirtuaLab develops logical thinking, spatial understanding, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The designs created by students are transferred into a virtual reality environment for testing under realistic conditions. The game offers students the opportunity to experience engineering and science in a completely new way – they can experiment, design, and solve problems in an environment that reacts to their decisions in real time.

VirtuaLab has been developed in collaboration with Enversed Studios in the Netherlands and Tallinn University, with the support of the Erasmus+ programme. The game aligns with the national curriculum for grades 7-9, and its activities reinforce the integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

PROTO created the educational content and connected it to engineering; Enversed Studios developed the technical solution and game design; and Tallinn University ensured curriculum alignment, built the pedagogical framework, tested the functionalities, and is preparing a methodological guide for teachers.

VirtuaLab is intended for:

• basic school students
• schools wishing to combine lessons with innovative gamification and virtual reality
• programme coordinators looking for new solutions to support learning

The project is funded by the Erasmus+ program .

The VirtuaLab game content is developed in close cooperation between Proto, Enversed, and Tallinn University. Tallinn University’s School of Educational Sciences ensures alignment with the Estonian national curriculum (grades 7–9) and provides a methodological framework for teachers to use VR simulations in class. The School of Digital Technologies evaluates the clarity, engagement, and educational value of the VR experience through focus groups with teachers and test classes.