EC Event: Undergraduate Senior Exhibition




Me in front of the exhibit
On June 7, 2018, I attended the Undergraduate Senior Exhibition for DMA graduating seniors. There were dozens of fascinating projects that were revolved around technology. There were two main types of projects, interactive, game-like ones as well as ones that were created immersive environments. For the game-like ones, there were projects that utilized cameras that could read facial features and artistic computer games. However, what appealed to me the most was the immersive environment displays. Many of the displays used a rudimentary form of Augmented Reality. They would set up an environment that they want to emulate (like a grassy field or a peaceful temple) and use various technological tools such as a projector or television screen to show the audience their story. In addition, there were displays that used virtual reality to place the user in extraordinary circumstances with other physical features that made the experience even more realistic.
An exhibit that emulated the feeling of lying on a grassy field

An exhibit that incorporated user input and used machine learning to respond
An exhibit that emulated a peaceful temple
I believe the application of altering a person's perception of reality can be used in various topics we learned in this class such as BioArt, Neuroscience, and Space. Various universities and schools have begun using virtual and augmented reality to teach students basic geography and historical lessons (Thompson). However, both VR and AR can be used for more advanced situations as well. Currently, researchers are trying to find ways of simulating the pressures and intensities of surgeries using both virtual reality and augmented reality (Best). This would allow scientists to experiment in a virtual setting rather than on real-life subjects. This can solve many ethical issues such as experimentation on animals that often plague the biomedical and bioart field (Vensa). Virtual reality can also help neuroscientists examine the simulations of live brains and to poke and prod nerves and various lobes of the brain to see effects without harming a human being or animal. Finally, astronauts can use VR and AR to simulate disasters they may have during their time in space to aboid major catastrophes such as Apollo 1 and the Challenger flights (Gursh, Vensa).

Even though I only saw undergraduate student work, it helped open my mind up to many new possibilities. I believe virtual and augmented reality will be essential to our future and how we as human beings learn.

Sources:


Vesna, Victoria. “Bioart Pt 3.” Desma 9.

 Thompson, Meredith. Making Virtual Reality a Reality in Today's Classrooms. THE Journal, 11 Jan. 2018, thejournal.com/articles/2018/01/11/making-virtual-reality-a-reality-in-todays-classrooms.aspx.

 Best, Jo. Surgery in Virtual Reality: How VR Could Give Trainee Doctors the Feel of Real Patients. ZDNet, 1 June 2017, www.zdnet.com/article/how-vr-could-give-trainee-doctors-the-feel-of-real-surgery/.

 Grush, Loren. “Walking through Space in NASA's Virtual Reality Lab.” The Verge, 22 Aug. 2017, www.theverge.com/2017/8/22/16178138/nasa-virtual-reality-lab-mars-rover-simulator.

 Vesna, Victoria. “Space Pt 4.” Desma 9.

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