This summer, the Governor’s School for Global and International Studies returned to the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus for a unique program that explores the world’s interconnectedness through an immersive four-week curriculum.
The program provides a diverse group of students from across the state with the opportunity to think globally, develop their oral and written communication skills, and study critical languages with distinguished faculty and guests. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to engage with the world in a fun, challenging, and thought-provoking way. The knowledge and relationships they build will last a lifetime.
As a part of the program’s curriculum, students participated in a workshop at Open Lab @ Hillman. The lab is a collaboration between the University Center for Teaching and Learning and the University Library System. Open Lab is equipped with virtual reality workstations, filament and resin 3D printers, a vinyl cutter, 360-degree video cameras, 2D and 3D scanners, and a laser cutter/engraver. Here, Governor’s School students utilized the lab’s tools, resources, and support to integrate emerging technology into their projects, allowing them to represent their work in creative ways to enhance their impact.
“Students are invited to access their inherent creativity and are challenged to think outside of the typical approach to academic projects,” said Aaron Graham, Manager at Open Lab. “Open Lab creates the supportive environment where members feel free to explore, iterate, and even fail in their endeavors, and learn along the way.”
Open Lab has had hundreds of successful projects created using the tools readily available – fully scanned and printed human beings, virtual reality art galleries, robotic dioramas, architectural models, game consoles, and more.
“The energy and cooperative support system is the most important aspect of the project,” explains Graham. “This allows experts and novices alike to feel a sense of belonging, united by innate creativity.”