Prior to Covid, Tony's Creepy Crawly Zoo traveled the country with its live insect show that lit wildfires of scientific curiosity in children. The show was an experience kids never forgot. Tony had been working to create a permanent location that was an insect/reptile themed natural science park for kids. just when all seemed to be on the verge of happening and Tony even published a science activity book to enhance the live experience, the pandemic struck, and all those years of work came to a screeching halt.
As with many businesses that revolved around large crowds, you had to either adapt or die. Most similar shows went virtual. "I did one virtual show, and it was just awful. Sitting in front of a webcam holding an insect wasn't even remotely like the live show. I had to find a new way to recreate an "experience"." Tony turned to an idea he had many years earlier, Virtual Reality. The problem was, the technology for a VR macro camera did not exist, so he invented one!
Fast forward half a dozen failed attempts and 2 year later, Macro VR is now a "reality". The result was an 8k camera that can take you inside the habitats of the creatures in the Creepy Crawly Zoo and let you see the world as if you were 2" tall. Tony will be discussing how his vision of an insect/reptile themed natural science park for kids has been reborn in the Metaverse. Attendees will have a chance to experience it and even meet some of the animals of the Creepy Crawly Zoo!
