Samhi C. – Staff Writer
skc5908@psu.edu
Virtual or Augmented Reality is not necessarily a new concept; we have heard about it before. But hearing about it and experiencing it are two different things. If you are interested in learning more about this technology, as well as having the opportunity to experience it for yourself, then you need to know about Penn State Behrend’s very own VAR Edu.
VAR Edu has been active since 2020 with an Open Lab concept. Any Behrend student can go and try out the near 300 virtual/augmented reality programs that they have to offer. One popular program offered is the video game Super Hot which Erin Dick, Program Chair of General Arts and Sciences and Multidisciplinary Studies and Lecturer of English, utilized as part of an ENGL 15 assignment.
Her class was researching the effect of violent video games on real life and in addition to reviewing articles on the topic, she wanted her students to have the opportunity to have some personal experience to add to their research. She took her class to VAR Edu and each person got the opportunity to play Super Hot for 30 minutes each and reflect upon their experiences afterward.
But Prof Dick found another benefit of having her students try out VAR Edu: it was a social bonding experience. “I think it’s important to build as many bonds as possible,” Dick says.
She also says she tested out the equipment for herself. “I’ve grown up playing video games,” she says. “That was the first time doing that.” Dick says her first time playing video games with VAR equipment was “pretty fun” and she “hope[s] more professors use it.”
As of now, VAR Edu has already gotten a chance to serve other classes including a nursing course in which students can practice their skills in a risk-free environment better preparing them for real nursing duties. An art history course has also utilized it for students to tour the Sistine Chapel in 3D.
Marcus Jacobs, a graduate student and the VAR Edu project manager explains that the VAR Edu’s team’s goal is “to engage with the community… more than just coursework.”
VAR Edu hosts various outreach events and participates in larger Behrend events so more have the chance to learn about and use the technology. For example, during Parents, Families & Alumni Weekend in Fall 2022 VAR hosted a total of 190 visitors over 6 hours.
Jacobs along with the rest of the VAR Edu team, 3rd year student Kelly Cass 3rd, 2nd year student Lauren Cass, 4th year student Sebastian Ortiz, 2nd year student Justin Williams, 1st year student Daniel Schreiber, and 2nd year student Salvatore DeSena, all come from various disciplines and joined VAR with various motivations.
- Cass is a communications major who initially got involved with VAR Labs upon a professor’s request and helped build VR Hagen History Center exhibits. From there, she transitioned into VAR Edu.
Meanwhile, Schreiber says, “I have been a little obsessed with VR since I was a kid,” and he came to Behrend solely so he could have a chance to be involved in the VAR Labs and VAR Edu.
DeSena, a finance major who ultimately wishes to pursue Human Computer Interaction, started at the Abington campus and similarly came to Behrend solely for a chance to work with VAR Edu. His
involvement was motivated by wanting to compile a portfolio for grad school.
DeSena, the VAR Edu team’s newest member says, “I love it… I’m loving the team people… The best thing is the different backgrounds [and] majors that everyone has.” DeSena’s words echo the VAR Edu team’s sentiments about the program being tailored to suit the needs of various students across interests, whether those students are employees or visitors.
Apart from Super Hot, other programs that VAR Edu offers include Beat Saber, Gravity Sketch, Anatomy programs, Google Earth, 3D YouTube, and many more.
According to K. Cass, who became involved in Spring 2020 and has since been promoted to an Immersive Administrator, “What’s exciting about VAR Edu is that it’s so new.” ’Til date, it’s the only virtual/augmented reality facility in the Erie, P.A. region. And as Penn State Behrend students, we have access to the facility for free right here on campus.
VAR Edu is located in the Fasenmyer building, room 200 and open hours for the Spring 2023 semester are as following:
Tuesdays, 4pm-8pm
Thursdays, 9am-11am
Fridays, 11am-3pm
Stop by the VAR Edu room during any of the open hours to say “hi” to the team, and try out any of the numerous virtual/augmented reality programs. For more information, visit VAR.PSU.edu/VAREdu.
