Elmhurst University students in a range of academic areas will benefit from a $338,613 U.S. Department of Defense grant that will fund the addition of new, high-tech equipment on campus.
The grant will support education, research and outreach spanning multiple disciplines, such as computer science, nursing, psychology, digital media and graphic design.
The multi-part grant will mean equipment updates for the Department of Art’s Makerspace, new equipment for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the creation of a virtual/augmented reality lab for the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems in conjunction with the Department of Digital Media.
“When we saw this grant opportunity, it wasn’t just, ‘Well, what can we do, what can we get?’ It was, ‘Is there something that can have a broader impact?’” said Dean Jensen, an assistant professor and director of the IT program at Elmhurst. “It’s going to be very interdisciplinary.”
The grant will aid in the purchase of an array of advanced technology, including high-end Mac desktop computers, VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) headsets, 3D printers and printers of other varieties, 3D camera equipment and scanners, and drawing tablets.
The digital media department plans to use their equipment to develop advanced gaming, filmmaking and storytelling experiences, said John Klein, an assistant professor and director of the digital media program.
“Our hope is for faculty to develop classes in which students could produce 360-degree filmed narrative movies, documentaries and live event recordings; or students could design video games and experiences for augmented reality or virtual reality, which would prepare them for working with clients and production companies across the board of a fast-growing market,” Klein said.
The grant initiative aims to connect the campus by bringing together students from several different programs into common, high-tech learning spaces. The upgraded technology also will allow students to participate in research, independent study or special projects related to their field of study, providing them with a well-rounded curriculum and professional preparation for their future careers.
Most of the upgraded equipment for the existing spaces should arrive on campus by the end of November. While there isn’t a confirmed location yet for the new VR/AR lab, it’s scheduled to be fully functional and open to students in Fall 2025.