Planetarium Director and Students Bring New Immersive Learning Tools to Campus After National Conference
Sara K. Schultz, Director of the Planetarium, along with three student participants, recently attended the 2026 WorldViewer Network Conference (WNC 2026) in Denver, Colorado—a national professional conference focused on immersive visualization, dome‑based storytelling, and educational technology.
Hosted by Elumenati at their state‑of‑the‑art Mile High Studio and GeoDome Experience Center, the two‑day conference brought together planetarium and science‑education professionals from around the world. Programming emphasized hands‑on training inside full‑scale dome environments, with a focus on practical workflows that can be immediately applied to teaching, research support, and public programming.
By attending alongside the Planetarium Director, the students gained direct exposure to professional‑level tools and workflows used in modern immersive science communication. Through interactive workshops and live dome demonstrations, participants developed skills in immersive content creation, interactive exhibit design, and real‑time visualization technologies used in planetariums and science centers.
“The opportunity for students to participate in this conference provided authentic, hands‑on learning that goes well beyond the classroom,” Schultz said. “They were able to engage directly with industry tools and professionals, gaining experience that will benefit their academic and career goals.”
The conference experience directly supports student learning outcomes by reinforcing experiential learning, critical thinking, technical skill development, and engagement with STEM content. Knowledge and techniques gained are already being applied to future planetarium programs, class visits, student employment experiences, and public shows on campus.
Attendance at WNC 2026 reflects the university’s commitment to high‑impact learning experiences, professional development, and student involvement in innovative educational environments.