The University of New Mexico\u2019s\u00a0ARTSLab\u00a0received\u00a0congressionally directed funds\u00a0from NASA\u00a0to\u00a0launch the\u00a0Artemis in 3D STEAM Challenge and Training Program,\u00a0an initiative aimed at advancing immersive technology access and education across the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cost and complexity of\u00a0Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)\u00a0hardware and software make it difficult for many New Mexicans to access or experience immersive technologies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In response, the\u00a0ARTSLab\u00a0created the\u00a0Community Immersive Technology Hub\u00a0(CITH)\u00a0in the\u00a0fall of\u00a02024.\u00a0The CITH is an innovative initiative aimed at making\u00a0these\u00a0technologies accessible to the broader community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
ARTSLab\u00a0Director\u00a0Stewart\u00a0Copeland\u00a0noticed\u00a0when universities receive VR headsets, they tend to be isolated to one department or college\u00a0because managing\u00a0all\u00a0that demands extensive tracking.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019ve been focused on, getting\u00a0equipment\u00a0and then\u00a0figuring out\u00a0how to make it accessible for researchers and students,\u201d Copeland said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As part of the initiative, graduate student Ella Pigg and undergraduate student Finn Ellis designed and developed Neon Forge, a virtual reality experience created for the Bands of Enchantment Music Festival.\u00a0Inspired by Route 66\u2019s iconic neon sign aesthetic, CITH created Neon Forge to connect with the city\u2019s cultural identity while offering festival attendees an immersive hands-on experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Festival goers would sign up to get in the queue and have the chance to play on the headsets for about 10 minutes.\u00a0After signing up at the\u00a0ARTSLab\u00a0kiosk station, Neon Forge players\u00a0were\u00a0able to create their own virtual neon signs and sculptures using a variety of realistic neon colors and animated blink sequences.\u00a0Participants could then email their design to themselves as a GIF or 3D file.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pigg said\u00a0part of the project goal was to be able to create a game that would be scalable depending on how much prior knowledge of VR the user had. \u201cIf you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know a lot about it, you\u00a0still are\u00a0able to draw\u00a0and have fun. But there are more complex tools that you can explore as you start to get more comfortable with the software,\u201d Pigg said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Copeland said during the festival there was a 45-minute wait\u2014a long line\u00a0of people wanting to try out Neon Forge, which goes to show\u00a0how much of a curiosity there is\u00a0regarding\u00a0this kind of technology.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the summer of 2025,\u00a0UNM partnered with\u00a0Unity, a development\u00a0platform,\u00a0to offer the Unity Educator Upskilling Workshop. It allowed\u00a0for New Mexico based educators to receive Unity Associate Game Developer training for free. The 13-week\u00a0virtual workshop guided educators through a technical learning journey covering fundamental Unity skills, game design, programming, and 2D\/3D modeling.\u00a0Fifteen educators from UNM, Central New Mexico college, Albuquerque Public Schools, and Explora participated.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to the workshops,\u00a0Unity and the\u00a0ARTSLab\u00a0offered online courses\u00a0and webinars\u00a0hosted by Unity Certified Professionals\u00a0that provide an overview of how Unity can be applied\u00a0across\u00a0different disciplines.\u00a0<\/p>\n