The Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) at Shenandoah University recently hosted over 60 Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Winchester Composite Squadron, who spent an evening engaging with immersive technology and learning about the possibilities of future careers involving augmented, virtual and extended realities.
SCiL faculty, staff and students provided several different experiences for the cadets during their visit to the SCiL Lab in late April. They engaged in an overview of mixed reality and academics, testing the sound isolation and recording booth and motion capture space and exploring the various AR/VR/XR projects created by SCiL students, faculty and staff. SCiL also set up an aviation showcase for the cadets, allowing them to test out the SCiL Lab’s VR drone assembly project, check out the drones owned by the lab, and use a flight simulator.
“We were thrilled to share the work we do in SCiL with our guests from the Civil Air Patrol. What an inspiring and accomplished group!” said Nathan Prestopnik, Ph.D., co-director of SCiL and program director of SU’s Bachelor of Arts in virtual reality/augmented reality design. “As SCiL moves into the Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs next academic year, we hope that energizing visits like this one will spark new kinds of partnerships, collaborations and projects between SU/SCiL and the wider community.”
This dedicated tour aligned with the Civil Air Patrol’s goals to inspire in youth a love of aviation, space and technology and introduce them to aerospace career opportunities.
“I had a great time experiencing all that the SCiL lab had to offer. I enjoyed their simulation of a lifelike French 75-millimeter gun and the simulation of the debates during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that led to the creation of the Electoral College,” said Cadet Master Sergeant Alexander Mills. “Overall, the SCiL lab is making revolutionary discoveries on how to use VR and AR better.”
About Virginia Wing
Civil Air Patrol’s Virginia Wing is home to 21 squadrons spread throughout the commonwealth and has approximately 2,250 members, 12 light aircraft, 6 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and 28 multi-mission vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state, and local governments, as well as to emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counter-drug missions. For more information on Virginia Wing, visit the wing’s website at https://vawg.cap.gov.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.
