Events and Outreach
Events
Outreach
- Marion County Public Library "NASA @ Your Library" Summer Program
The Advanced Visualization Laboratory (AVL) of UITS/RAC put on demonstrations of stereoscopic (3D) visualizations at seven different branches of the Marion County Public Library System in conjunction with their summer reading program. AVL set up demonstrations, running on the IU-invented John-E-Box, in seven different locations (Glendale, West Indianapolis, Wayne, Franklin, Irvington, Pike, East 38th Street). More than 450 people, mostly school children, attended these demonstrations. By interesting schoolchildren (and their parents) in information technology - done most easily we think with advanced visualizations - we hope to encourage children to pursue courses of study in high school and college that will lead to careers in advanced information technology.
- Brownsburg Challenger Center 10th Anniversary Celebration
The UITS Advanced Visualization Laboratory (AVL) was pleased to participate in the Brownsburg Challenger Center 10th Anniversary celebration held in November 2004. During this all-day event, AVL staff showcased 3D space-related content to nearly 100 visitors including children of all ages and their parents. Among the applications demonstrated were a stereoscopic movie containing various images downloaded from the recent Mars Rover mission and Solar Explorer. Solar Explorer is a custom application created by AVL staff to serve as a fun, interactive exploration of our solar system. Children wore 3D glasses and interacted with the virtual world using a wireless controller.
- Explore IUPUI
Held on the IUPUI campus annually, Explore IUPUI is an opportunity for the community, young and old, newcomers and old friends to see what goes on at IUPUI. Throughout the Saturday of September 18, nearly 100 people entered the dark tent hosted by the Advanced Visualization Laboratory (AVL) to participate in a virtual reality experience. The AVL showcased select projects including student animations, NASA images, and a fly-through of the Indianapolis downtown.
- Indianapolis Museum of Art
The UITS Advanced Visualization Laboratory (AVL) participated in two separate fund raising events for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Both events featured AVL projects relevant to the art museum as they prepare to open their new technology gallery. Of particular interest was a 3D scanning system capable of capturing ancient artifacts in a digital form for preservation and presentation.
- Indiana Health Industry Forum
Indiana University put on a significant display at the Indiana Health Industry Forum Annual Conference on June 16 and 17 2004. IU's display included representation of UITS (featuring the Research and Academic Computing Division), the Indiana Genomics Initiative and IU School of Music and the Indiana University Research Technology Corporation. Hundreds of representatives of academia and industry in the State of Indiana had an opportunity to view displays about IU accomplishments in the life sciences and advanced technology.
- TechPoint
IU's University Information Technology Services (UITS) and Indiana Genomics Initiative booth was the perfect complement to the Indiana TechPoint summit's exhibition hall on September 29, 2004. As TechPoint is an agent advocating for the growth, development and retention of Indiana's technology sectors, the centerpiece of IU's booth was the John-E-Box. The John-E-Box is a portable virtual reality display device invented at IU. It is currently being marketed by Indianapolis-based CAE-net, Inc. through a technology-transfer license granted from the university.
- ICTC Building Dedication and Grand Opening
The grand opening of the new Information Communication Technology Complex (ICTC) on October 13, 2004 showcased the variety of technology housed within the impressive structure. Of particular interest was the 4th floor where the UITS Advanced Visualization Laboratory and Virtual Reality Theater are located. Following the dedication ceremony, visitors shared in experiences including a 3D educational movie, 2D high resolution imagery of Marion County, advanced IP-based video conferencing, and a virtual reality walkthrough of the very structure they were then standing in. University community members witnessed (for the first time) how their research could utilize the many advanced technologies housed within the building.
