Visible Geology
Groundbreaking Collaboration Tackles the Geology Talent Crisis
Two of Christchurch’s homegrown tech leaders, Seequent and CerebralFix, have joined forces to tackle one of the most pressing issues in the global geology sector – a talent shortage that threatens the industry’s ability to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
Visible Geology: A Game-Changer in Education
Visible Geology is a free, gamified learning tool aimed at inspiring the next generation of earth scientists. The app moves beyond traditional 2D and paper-based teaching methods into immersive 3D modelling in the cloud via a simple, intuitive interface. Anyone with access to the internet can access Visible Geology for free – no subscription required.
But the project is also a case study in how Christchurch businesses can respond to a wider economic challenge – by innovating in ways that align with the city’s economic vision.
Solving the Geology Talent Crisis
The earth science sector is in crisis. Globally, geology enrolments are declining, leaving a shrinking pool of new talent just as a large portion of the existing workforce approaches retirement. According to reports, Australia has seen a 40% drop in geoscience graduates over the past eight years, while the United States is projected to face a shortage of 130,000 geoscientists by 2030.
“We know how critical earth scientists are to understanding the earth’s resources and solving some of the world’s most urgent and complex challenges – from climate resilience to the energy transition,” says Seequent CEO Graham Grant. “With falling enrolments and older professionals retiring, there is a workforce crisis ahead that is set to impact our way of life.”
Innovating with Technology for Geology
It’s against this backdrop that Seequent, New Zealand's largest software solutions company and a former Hi-Tech Company of the Year, teamed with CerebralFix, a game development studio known for its work with Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks, to develop Visible Geology. The app offers an immersive experience designed to break down the traditional barriers to learning geology. With the gamified nature of the tool, students can interact with 3D models of the earth, experiment with geological processes, and explore real-world scenarios, making the learning experience far more intuitive and hands-on.
The Impact of Gamified Learning
CerebralFix Co-CEO Chelsea Rapp says video games have an ability to transform education by blending immersive experiences with interactive learning. “They are much more than just entertainment; applications like Visible Geology are dynamic tools that empower learners to explore and experiment in ways that traditional methods cannot match.”
“Ultimately, educators need to meet learners where they are, and that's in games and online spaces. There's more opportunity than ever for businesses and educators to connect with young people through the power of video games.”
Dr Kate Pedley, a geology lecturer at the University of Canterbury, is an enthusiastic adopter of the app. “It’s intuitive and easy to use. Students can play around with it and have a bit of fun and it builds understanding in a way that complicated 2D maps can’t,” she says. “Visible Geology builds a bridge for students to the professional geoscience software they will use in their careers.”
Chelsea Rapp - Co-CEO, CerebralFixUltimately, educators need to meet learners where they are, and that's in games and online spaces. There's more opportunity than ever for businesses and educators to connect with young people through the power of video games.
A Model for Collaborative Innovation
For ChristchurchNZ CEO Ali Adams, Visible Geology is a clear example of how two local companies, drawing on their unique skill sets, can come together to solve a global issue. “Visible Geology serves as a powerful illustration of the values at the heart of Christchurch’s Economic Ambition – high-tech innovation, environmental responsibility, and collaboration.”
The Christchurch Economic Ambition, a long-term vision for the city’s economic future, champions collaboration between businesses to drive innovation in a sustainable and inclusive way. In recent years the city has emerged as a hub for high-tech, knowledge-intensive businesses – making collaborations like Visible Geology more common.
Ali Adams - CEO, ChristchurchNZVisible Geology serves as a powerful illustration of the values at the heart of Christchurch’s Economic Ambition – high-tech innovation, environmental responsibility, and collaboration.
Graham Grant says there’s something unique about Christchurch that allows two companies in different industries to collaborate this way. “Christchurch is small enough that we can create the intersection between these two things.”
Ali Adams agrees the partnership is a model for what the future of business in Christchurch could look like: a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem where local firms support one another to solve global issues. “In an era where the world faces increasingly complex problems, Visible Geology shows how Christchurch can lead the way – not just in technological innovation, but in showing how businesses can collaborate to create a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Get a closer look at Visible Geology in the video below
