COMMACK SCHOOLS

Tenth-grade students are experiencing a sobering tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp without leaving CHS on Wednesday.

The students are being given virtual reality headsets during their AP World and Global 10 social studies classes for the immersive journey.

They are gaining a firsthand perspective by exploring the haunting landscapes and barracks, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the Holocaust.

Guided by educators, the program combines historical accuracy with interactive elements, incorporating survivor testimonies and artifacts.

The VR headsets enable students to be present at the camp. The students can look 360 degrees around, and even gain a bird's-eye-view with the help of a drone hovering above.

Students can follow a guide from the crematoria to the showers, from the barracks to the train tracks, and to the lineup area.

The moving tour of the camp is accompanied by an explanation from Yisrael Goldwasser, an internationally acclaimed speaker on the subject of the Holocaust.

The goal of the program is to empower students to confront the realities of the Holocaust and understand the consequences of indifference and prejudice. It allows learners to actively engage with history, reinforcing the message that “Never Again is Now” by promoting awareness and empathy.