VAR Lab - Virtual/Augmented Reality (VAR) Lab

Leveraging the potential of immersive technologies for education, community, and industry in an equitable and sustainable way.

Strategic Units

AI + Machine Learning

Our unit focused on artificial intelligence development

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Immersive Technology

Our makerspace unit focused on immersive creation.

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Autonomous Robotics

Our unit focused on developing robotic and autonomous solutions

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News & Media

Brand New Kicks!

Through a connection with Innovation Commons at Penn State Behrend, we had the opportunity to support Emily and her dad,

Research in Progress: EEG & Immersive Virtual Reality

As part of her Fulbright research at the VAR Lab, Bibiana Mayer Steckel is leading a project focused on understanding

Scanning the Liberty Bell

The other day our director Christopher R. Shelton and student researcher Remington Orange used an Artec Eva structured light scanner

VAR at a Glance

Research, teaching, partnerships, and funding impact through January 2026.

Realized Value $2.32M

Total Value Generated

$2.32M

Labor | Facilities | Visiting Scholars

Grants, Awards and Gifts

$1.35M

38 grants funded

Student Positions

247

115 unique | 74% paid

Partnerships

150+

Academia | Industry | Nonprofits

Open Lab Deliverables

196

47% by lead contributor

Return on Investment

$18K

Seed Grant | 2019

12,800%

Conservative ROI

Excludes speculative value

$2.32M

Realized Value | 2026

XR Classroom | 2,715 Total

60

FA21

172

SP22

625

FA22

706

SP23

1,152

FA24

Individuals engaged per semester

2nd-Year Retention Rate

98.6%

VAR Lab Researchers

vs

75.4%

Behrend Average

+23.2 pp above college average

Student Composition

Humanities and SS

45%

Engineering

42%

Business

9%

Science

4%

Undergrad

80%

Graduate

20%

Paid Roles

74%

Funding Breakdown

Grants (38)

$1,185,796

Faculty Effort

~$630,818

Facilities

~$228,249

Visiting Scholars

$162,283

Corporate + Private

$65,895

Student Awards (14)

$41,700

+ $198,654 in proposals under review

AI and Tech | 20+ Tools

LLMs | Generative Media | Vision | Speech | Autonomous Systems

Penn State

7+ campuses | TLT | ICDS | All 4 schools

Higher Ed

USC | Michigan | CMU | Korea | Brazil

Industry

US Steel | Erie Insurance | Adobe | STERIS

Community

Carnegie Science | Hagen | Girl Scouts

Grants and Federal

ECGRA | Fish and Wildlife | Erie Fdn

Projects & Events

BIOL 164 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T12:48:55-04:00

BIOL 164 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

BIOL 164 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
MKTG 343 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T12:49:12-04:00

MKTG 343 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

MKTG 343 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
Admissions Event – Outreach IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T12:48:05-04:00

Admissions Event – Outreach Integration
VAR Edu

Admissions Event – Outreach Integration
VAR Edu
MIS 204 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T13:07:04-04:00

MIS 204 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

MIS 204 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
GAME 250 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T13:07:12-04:00

GAME 250 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

GAME 250 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
The Landing PlaceShelton, Chris2023-03-20T22:56:35-04:00

The Landing Place
VAR Lab

The Landing Place
VAR Lab
PSYCH 519 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T13:07:19-04:00

PSYCH 519 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

PSYCH 519 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 2022Jacobs, Marcus Adam2023-06-12T13:22:45-04:00

3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 2022
VAR Lab, VAR Studio

3D Scanning Roadshow Hosted at Behrend in Fall 2022
VAR Lab, VAR Studio
English 015 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T13:07:28-04:00

English 015 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

English 015 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
ARTH 325 – Class IntegrationKelly Cass2023-06-12T13:07:38-04:00

ARTH 325 – Class Integration
VAR Edu

ARTH 325 – Class Integration
VAR Edu
VAR RoverWnukoski, Joseph John2022-09-01T15:47:11-04:00

VAR Rover
VAR Studio

VAR Rover
VAR Studio
Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR ScanningJacobs, Marcus Adam2023-07-27T14:50:41-04:00

Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR Scanning
Mobile Operations Studio, VAR Studio

Capturing Behrend/Erie Landmarks using LiDAR Scanning
Mobile Operations Studio, VAR Studio
Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History CenterWnukoski, Joseph John2023-04-02T10:16:32-04:00

Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History Center
VAR Lab

Immersive Exhibits at the Hagen History Center
VAR Lab
Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PAJacobs, Marcus Adam2023-03-31T14:10:53-04:00

Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PA
VAR Lab, VAR Studio

Oliver Perry Immersive Telescope Exhibit – Hagen History Center in Erie, PA
VAR Lab, VAR Studio
Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen GorgeJacobs, Marcus Adam2023-03-31T15:42:18-04:00

Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen Gorge
VAR Lab

Creation of a Virtual Hike of the Wintergreen Gorge
VAR Lab

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Our Partners

Explore our organization’s mission and learn more on the about page. If you have any inquiries or wish to get in touch, please visit our contact page. Your interest is highly appreciated!

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