Mark your calendars. That's when CSE associate adjunct professor Jurgen Schulze, who teaches both computer graphics and virtual reality in the department, will be on a panel of experts at a special community event in connection with the Sally Ride Science STEAM Series. The event is organized by UC San Diego Extension and the San Diego Public Library, which is hosting the panel discussion.
professor Jurgen Schulze
Date: Wednesday, September 13
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: San Diego Central Library, Shiley Suite, 330 Park Boulevard, San Diego
Abstract: Why just read about ancient Rome when you can walk the cobbled streets as if you were really there? That's the promise of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality in today's classrooms. While the idea of strapping on goggles to virtually visit the Colosseum or go inside a molecule sounds like the stuff of science fiction, the technology to do just that is becoming more popular and available every day. While there are plenty of obstacles -- from cost to teacher training -- that are impeding the growth of virtual reality as an educational tool, it offers considerable benefits. Not only can it boost visual and technology literacy, but it also improves students' attention and engagement.
To explore how this technology has the possibility of transforming K-12 education, a panel of educators and technologists will discuss both the promise and peril of using virtual reality in the classroom. The panel will be moderated by Scott Lewis, CEO of Voice of San Diego. Panelists will include: Qualcomm Institute research scientist and CSE associate adjunct professor Jurgen Schulze; UC San Diego NanoEngineering alumnus Steve McCloskey, CEO and Founder of Nanome, a startup located in QI's Innovation Space; Rodney Guzman, Co-founder, Director of Design and CEO of InterKnowlogy; and Julie A. Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow.
Bios: Jürgen Schulze, Ph.D., Associate Research Scientist, UCSD's Qualcomm Institute, and Associate Adjunct Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, teaches computer graphics and virtual reality in the CSE department. His research interests at UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute include applications for virtual and augmented reality systems, 3D human-computer interaction and medical data visualization. Dr. Schulze holds an M.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. from the University of Stuttgart, Germany. After graduation, he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Computer Science Department at Brown University working on real-time volume rendering in virtual reality. (For short bios of the other speakers on the VR in the Classroom panel, click here.)