Penn State will be equipped to meet the needs of students, faculty, and a society at large that is progressively more reliant on immersive technology with the opening of the Center for Immersive Experiences (CIE) on the University Park campus.
The center, with physical space in Pattee Library and collaborators in 11 different academic units at the University, will feature comprehensive services around teaching, learning and research involving immersive technology by increasing access to virtual reality, augmented reality, 360-degree video, mixed reality and more.
The center — on schedule to open in mid-November — will serve as a conduit for immersive experiences at the University by championing interdepartmental projects; incorporating immersive tech into classrooms; and giving Penn Staters access to a “sandbox” of immersive technologies. The center’s physical space will feature virtual reality bays and a lab that can function as a theater, breakout room or conference space.
Administrators believe Penn State’s collaborative culture, institutional strengths and research focus make it an ideal place to unlock immersive technology’s educational potential.