HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Through a continued partnership between the Cosmosphere and Kansas State University Salina, a team of senior students led by Dr. Balaji Balasubramaniam, Dr. Annie Hoekman, and Dr. Michael Oetken, have developed an immersive virtual reality experience that will soon become part of the Cosmosphere’s educational camp programming. The students involved in the production include Diego Hinojosa, Dylan Hoeffner, Jacob Klataske, Alec Mendoza, Hunter Taylor, William Ramberg, and Zabdiel Ramirez.
The project, titled ISS Rupture Simulation, places participants aboard the International Space Station during an emergency scenario. Using virtual reality technology, campers will search through a virtual model of the ISS looking for ruptures using an audio amplifier listening for air leaks and repairing them with branded patches.
Created as part of the students’ senior capstone project at Kansas State University Salina, the simulation was designed specifically for use within the Cosmosphere’s camp experiences, further expanding the organization’s hands-on and immersive STEAM education opportunities.
During a presentation of the final development, a representative from an additional partner, Pure Imagination Studios, attended the demonstration of the project alongside staff and leadership from both the Cosmosphere and Kansas State University Salina. The demonstration showcased the completed VR experience and highlighted the collaborative effort behind the immersive educational tool.
The collaboration reflects the shared commitment between the Cosmosphere and Kansas State University Salina to inspire the next generation through innovation, experiential learning, and space education.
For more information visit salina.k-state.edu/research-engagement/cosmosphere-partnership/
For more information about Cosmosphere camps and educational programs, visit cosmo.org
