On April 12th, Wichita State University's College of Innovation and Design (CID) hosted an Open House for its newly launched Open XR Lab in Devlin Hall. Coinciding with the International Day of Human Spaceflight, the event showcased the lab's focus on VR and AR design, particularly in NASA-inspired projects.
Led by CID faculty Maggie Schoonover and Kristyn Waits, the Open XR Lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing design thinking and agile methodologies. Inclusivity is a key priority, with a focus on providing research opportunities and mentorship to underrepresented groups in STEM.
Attendees had the chance to explore various demos and projects during the Open House,
gaining insights into the innovative work happening within the lab. As well as participate
in some team bonding by making bracelets and choosing which custom stickers they wanted
to take with them.
It was a very busy day for our team, as the NASA SUITS Team also showcased their research during the Poster Session for the WSU Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF). This event not only underscored the lab's role in advancing XR research but also provided invaluable practice for undergraduate students in presenting their research to a live audience.
As this year's projects come to a close, the CID Open XR Lab is gearing up for the next round of research initiatives. Stay tuned as we set our sights on new horizons and continue to push the boundaries of XR innovation.
