Wichita State University
College of Innovation + Design Presents at the Galaxy Forum
Find us in the Open XR Lab
Wichita State University's Open XR Lab (OXRL) is a hub for experiential student learning in extended reality technologies using human-centered design concepts. Hosted by the College of Innovation and Design (CID), the Open XR Lab is also home base for CosmoShox, our student research and product development teams focused on NASA-inspired design challenges.
The mission of OXRL is simple: empower student-driven product development through interdisciplinary collaboration while creating a safe and inclusive environment.
The College of Innovation and Design had an incredible experience at the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation's 2024 Galaxy Forum "HUMANS in SPACE" held at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS on Saturday, August 24th. The event provided an excellent platform for the team to showcase our innovative projects and share our experiences with NASA STEM challenges to an engaged audience of educators and space enthusiasts.
Maggie Schoonover and Kristyn Waits presented "CosmoShox: Using NASA STEM Challenges for Student Engagement," showcasing the interdisciplinary work of the CosmoShox team from the WSU Open XR Lab. Their presentation illustrated how NASA challenges are leveraged to inspire and engage the next generation of innovators. They also invited a few WSU students who were on the team and national finalists in the 2023-2024 NASA SUITS (Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students) Design Challenge to share their experiences:
- Sam Hein (Game Design)
- Elliott Chambon (Aerospace Engineering)
- Yumi Kikuchi (Masters of Innovation Design)
These students shared their remarkable experiences from the NASA SUITS journey and Test Week at Johnson Space Center, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of working on cutting-edge space technology as part of an interdisciplinary team.
The Galaxy Forum proved to be an ideal platform for the College of Innovation and Design to showcase its commitment to promoting creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. By highlighting their work with NASA STEM challenges, the team aimed to inspire educators to incorporate these exciting opportunities into their classrooms, potentially igniting a passion for space and technology among students.
The event highlighted the power of collaboration between academia, industry, and organizations
like NASA. We're thrilled to be at the forefront of space-related innovation and education,
and we can’t wait to keep exploring new frontiers in space exploration and beyond.
Attendees enjoyed live demos of our user interface, with many getting hands-on experience with our AV/VR headsets. It was a fantastic day that reminded us of the limitless possibilities in space exploration and the vital role education plays in shaping the future of this exciting field. The College of Innovation and Design is all in on preparing students for the challenges and adventures of tomorrow's space age!