Mott Children’s Hospital, Patient Technology Team
Since January, we have been collaborating with Mott Children’s Hospital’s Patient Technology Team under the guidance and advisory of J.J. Bouchard, Manager of Therapeutic Gaming and Patient Technology. Following an agile development process—encompassing research, interviews, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration—we have designed six interactive play experiences for pediatric patients. These experiences foster companionship, encourage movement, and provide emotional support, ensuring inclusive, engaging, and therapeutic interactions for children of all abilities. With significant progress made, J.J. is excited about our work and sees the potential for a long-term program.
Michigan Engineering Zone, Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab
In February, with an introduction from Professor Jiasi Chen, UM Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, we brought CodeBloc to Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab in Detroit. During the session, 27 students from Advanced Technology Academy explored the mixed-reality coding experience, with their teacher, Mark Jackson, observing. Despite some hand-tracking bugs, the experience received an average rating of 8.4, and nearly all students expressed interest in having similar experiences at school. We also presented our multiplayer Smart City experience to Dante Vozza, Lead STEM Instructor, discussing ways to integrate IoT technology to enhance its educational value.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, PLAY Annual Fundraiser
In early March, we partnered with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum to bring mixed reality experiences to PLAY, the museum’s annual fundraising event. This year’s theme—“Where science is celebrated & your senses are the life of the party”—set the stage for an exciting evening. With over 325 guests in attendance, the event raised over $55,000 for the Access for All initiative, which funds student field trip scholarships, outreach programs, and reduced-cost admission for families in need. We are proud to support this meaningful community effort, as the growing demand for school scholarships, accessibility adaptations for physical and neurodiverse learners, and support for financially vulnerable families underscores the importance of expanding equitable access to STEAM education.
Museum of Natural History, Scientist Spotlight
In mid-March, we took the stage at the Science Forum at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History as part of their Scientist Spotlight event, alongside 20 other scientists showcasing their work. Throughout the day, we engaged with 577 visitors, with over 50 kids eagerly trying out the CodeBloc experience—many returning multiple times. Parents were amazed by the advancements in mixed reality and its potential for education. We are grateful to Alicia Comer, Science Outreach Grants Manager, for including us in the program, and to Rae Yung, the museum’s Head of Communication and Marketing, for featuring us in their social media and newsletter.
Community Action Network , Bryant Community Center
In March, through an introduction from GradSWE, we connected with Vanina Quinn, Program Coordinator at CAN, who soon invited us to bring CodeBloc to their Bryant Community Center site. Twenty kids from Bryant and Creekside had the opportunity to experience mixed reality, sparking excitement and curiosity. We are proud to support and inspire underserved communities by making XR more than just gaming—engaging it in meaningful ways. During the event, we also met Ann Arbor Police Officer Ms. Johnson and discussed potential collaborations with Ann Arbor Public Schools. Ms. Quinn expressed interest in including us in CAN’s future summer camp programming, reinforcing our belief in bringing XR technology directly into communities to create impactful learning experiences.