HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) has partnered with the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) at the Center for Schools and Communities (CSC) to deliver two groundbreaking webinars focused on integrating virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies into afterschool and summer learning programs.
Supported by a grant from the Charles Mott Foundation, these sessions aimed to enhance college and workforce readiness among Pennsylvania’s youth. The webinars explored the potential of immersive technology to impart valuable skills, enrich STEM education, and foster social-emotional growth. They were also designed to provide educators with new tools and insights to inspire students and prepare them for the next generation of science and technology careers.
- Session 1: Exploring Virtual Reality to Enhance STEM Learning in Afterschool and Summer Programming provided educators with practical strategies for implementing VR in grades K–8, demonstrating how it can deepen students’ understanding of complex scientific concepts.
- Session 2: Leveraging Extended Reality for Social-Emotional Learning and Career Exploration highlighted how XR can be used for virtual job shadowing and interactive scenarios, helping students develop critical skills like empathy, teamwork, and communication.
The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network was founded in 2004 through generous support from the Mott Foundation and other philanthropic groups. PSAYDN’s mission is to promote sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time (OST) youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building, with a focus on enhancing the long-term welfare of Pennsylvania’s children and families.
Professor Jen Mowery, a member of HU’s XR Taskforce and Instructor of Agile Methodologies & Project Management, as well as the webinar presenter from Harrisburg University, commented, “Sharing the advancements we’re making at Harrisburg University with the community has been incredibly rewarding. XR and VR aren’t just tools – they’re shaping the future of education.”
During each day of the webinars, a participant was randomly selected to receive a Meta Quest 3 headset, underscoring the mutual commitment to equipping community educators with immersive technology. Recipients were also offered technical support from HU to help them integrate the hardware into their programs.
For more information about the program and to watch the webinars, visit PSAYDN.org. And to learn more about Harrisburg University’s educational partnerships, please contact Connect@HarrisburgU.edu or visit https://www.HarrisburgU.edu/Partnerships/.
ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE AFTERSCHOOL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NETWORK AT THE CENTER FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
With nearly 3,000 members, over 6,000 recognized OST providers, and more than 100 partners across all 67 Pennsylvania counties, PSAYDN provides services and support that positively impact afterschool programming at the national, statewide, and regional levels. With primary goals of partnership, policy, and quality, and a particular focus on low-income children, PSAYDN and CSC seek to empower educators, equip policymakers, and inspire younger learners to rise to their academic and professional potential.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
