## 3 Materials and Methods
### Learning Content  
The Atayal Tribe is one of the Taiwanese indigenous peoples residing in the central and mountainous regions of northern Taiwan. Despite its relatively small population, the Atayal Tribe is renowned for its unique cultural traditions. The mountainous regions of central and northern Taiwan, home to the Atayal Tribe, feature lush landscapes, rivers, and lakes that are integral to its way of life. Living in harmony with nature, the Atayal people have accumulated profound knowledge and wisdom about their ecological environments, including detailed observations and experiences related to flora, fauna, and aquatic ecosystems. Traditionally, the Atayal Tribe reveres nature, perceiving all elements in the natural world as possessing a spiritual presence. This cultural perspective can serve as a catalyst for instilling environmental awareness among generations.  
This study combined the indigenous culture of the Atayal Tribe with the learning topic of \"aquatic ecology\" in the elementary school curriculum. The integration enables students to gain a better understanding of ecological environments and acquire the Atayal wisdom of protecting and sustainably utilizing natural resources. The elements selected in this study focused on investigating the ecological environments of Chichiawan Creek and the Atayal Nanshan Tribe in northern Taiwan. Observation points and learning content were selected based on the habitats of the Taiwan Masu Salmon and the residential areas of the Atayal Tribe. Figure 1 shows the planned observation points for developing the VR360 ecological system, including the Atayal Cultural Center, Taiwan Masu Salmon habitats, the Chichawan Archaeological Site, Taoshan Waterfall, Rahaw Creek, and the Taiwan Masu Salmon Ecology Center. This study utilized the Satellite View on Google Maps to facilitate the visualization of these ecological observation points. The researchers also planned several aquatic animals commonly seen in the Chichiawan Creek area (Figure 2).  
* Aquatic insects (damselflies, mayflies);
* Amphibians ([PERSON]'s frog, tadpoles);
* Fish (Taiwan Masu Salmon, Taiwan's shovel-jaw carp);
* Birds (yellow-bellied owl, river blackbird, mandarin duck).  
The VR360 ecological system provides an effective way for students to learn about the interactions between an ecosystem and its environment, highlighting important challenges and conservation issues. This study aligns with the elementary school curriculum about aquatic animals and endangered species, raising awareness of protecting aquatic environments and observing behaviors of various aquatic animals. By providing students with virtual experiences, the VR360 ecological system can develop a sense of responsibility for environmental conservation. The objective is to help students understand the complex interactions between animals and their habitats while addressing critical environmental issues and fostering a long-term dedication to protecting nature.  
Figure 1: Observation points in Chichawan Creek and Atayal Nanshan Tribe areas.  
Figure 2: Aquatic animals commonly seen in the Chichiawan Creek area.  
The instructional design of learning units aims to enhance students' understanding of the distinct features of aquatic creatures and their living environments. Students are encouraged to observe the behaviors of various aquatic animals, enhancing a deeper understanding of their ecological features. This approach can foster students' awareness about the ecology of aquatic creatures while encouraging a commitment to environmental conservation. Through the learning process, students can gain deeper insights into the roles and significance of aquatic ecology to develop an appreciation for biodiversity. The learning content of the VR360 ecological system includes \"Atayal Culture\", \"Natural Ecology\", and \"Environment and History\", aligning seamlessly with the relevant learning units of the natural science curricula in elementary schools (see Table 1).