"I thought, this is a good way to motivate and inspire students to learn," explains VictoryXR Co-Founder and CEO Steve Grubbs.

He's recalling both his first VR experience--and the genesis of his Iowa-based educational technology company, founded in 2016.

VictoryXR, now used by educators in more than 30 countries, is transforming education through virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

In real-world-based immersive settings, students become interactive, rather than passive, participants: encouraged to explore, be curious and create content.

Applications are available for learners of all ages, from kindergarten to postgraduate and technical/career training.

Hands-on and virtual

Among VictoryXR's applications is the VXRLabs platform, which is free to download. Simulations on VXRLabs include an interactive field trip to Egypt, a virtual biology lab and a "create space" for students to input their own content.

There are also more than 140 fully-immersive field trips on the "Victory XR: Global Traveler" app, which takes students all over the world.

Without ruining the fun, let's just say that these approach travel destinations from some highly imaginative perspectives, while teaching.

"Because you're immersed, students retain dramatically more information," Steve explains.

AI for all learners

One of VictoryXR's newest offerings is HOLOTUTOR: an AI student tutor, available, 24/7, that can tutor students in virtually any subject. (It's also free to download.)

Steve talked about his background, shared the story of creating VictoryXR and offered a closer look at some of the ways his company continues to transform the ways we learn--and teach.

Just one more week till Immersive X!

For three days, starting Tuesday, November 11th, this free all-virtual festival will explore the ways XR will transform the future.

The arts, academia, health, and society will be among the areas covered in ten different tracks.

And in addition to exploring the exciting innovations happening with VR and XR, the event is all about connecting in the metaverse.

"We always look for people that want to contribute to the development of this community," says Immersive X Organizer and Curator Thomas Zorbach, who is the Founder and CEO of Berlin-based full-service agency vm-people..

While the sessions are popular, and space may be limited, prospective visitors are still welcome to apply for an invitation--just with the warning that some sessions may already be full.

Thomas says there will be a training day on Monday, November 10th, and then, sessions start on Tuesday, the 11th, with his opening remarks at 6 am, Pacific time.

In this interview from September, 2025, Thomas shared the story of creating both vm-people (check out their YouTube channel, for past IMMERSIVE X sessions!) and the IMMERSIVE X festival, as well as offering a preview of this year’s events.

"This is an exciting new path for us," says Neil Squire Society Makers Making Change Accessible Gaming Lead Tyler Fentie, of his organization's latest initiative: the GAME Kit.

This innovation marks the latest step towards expanding adaptive gaming throughout Canada for Makers Making Change, an initiative of nonprofit Neil Squire Society (which is Canada's leader in creating assistive technology).

Makers Making Change connects volunteer makers with Canadians with disabilities, to create low-cost or free assistive technologies which empower individuals to work, play and live fulfilling lives. Customized to that specific client, these devices have ultimately led to Makers Making Change's open-source library of device patterns, available to makers worldwide.

Feedback from their clients, as well as from makers with disabilities, makes their devices effective for the communities they serve. Currently, Makers Making Change is conducting their "Hacking for the Holidays" event, where makers come together to make holiday toys accessible to their young recipients. This year, Tyler says, they're expanding that program with a week-long special event.

And they're expanding their reach as they make fun accessible to gamers, as well.

A "game-changing" vision

In 2024, Tyler implemented and led the GAME Checkpoints program: opening centers, throughout Canada, which work with community partners to offer resources, gear and training for adaptive gaming. The program continues to thrive.

At the time of our 2024 conversation, Canada had nine GAME Checkpoints. Today, Tyler says, that number has grown to eleven. His goal is to have one in every Canadian province.

And the GAME Kit was in the works. The goal: to facilitate setups of adaptive gaming showcases by providing equipment, a guide and a checklist.

The latest innovation

Today, the kit is complete--and has been released for purchase. (While it's not currently available outside of Canada, Makers Making Change has both a four-part series on the basics of game adaptability, and a accessible gaming equipment patterns available to all makers on their open-source library of assistive device build instructions!)

With three different sets of assistive devices for increasing more complex gaming, as well as a guide with five possible setups, the GAME Kit allows anyone--even if they have no experience--to set up an effective showcase and show visitors how adaptive gaming can work for their communities or organizations.

Tyler talked about creating the GAME Kit, explained at one scenario in using it to set up an adaptive gaming showcase, and offered a look at an exciting grant program designed to help Canadian youth implement adaptive gaming showcases in their areas!

Cosmic Girls Foundation CEO and Founder Dr. Mindy Howard is making several dreams a reality, at once.

As a future astronaut, she's fulfilling her lifelong career aspirations.

Through her Netherlands-based company, Inner Space Training, she's training commercial space travelers to optimize this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As an author and speaker, she's using what she's learned, in training as an astronaut, to help her readers train for success. (Check out her book, Blast Off! Train Like an Astronaut for Success on Earth, as well as her TEDx Talk!)

But most of all, with her nonprofit Cosmic Girls Foundation, she's empowering young women, globally, to pursue their dreams of a career in our future space economy.

World-class empowerment

Through their virtual community, Cosmic Girls Foundation provides girls, ages 14 through 19, with STEM education and a network that can pave the way for future careers as astronauts, aerospace engineers and astrophysicists.

With their free Cosmic Forum, they offer a virtual space for girls to connect over their shared interests in aerospace, astrophysics and related topics.

Mindy explains that the forum is a collaborative, rather than competitive, space, in which the girls help and guide one another by providing answers to such questions as, "What telescope should I buy (for) stargazing?"

"It's almost like a sisterhood," Mindy says, as she shares the surprisingly-mature insights she's seen 15-year-olds sharing with their peers.

Members of the Cosmic Forum are also eligible for virtual training through Cosmic Girls' worldwide program partners.

Skills learned can include virtual astronaut training, as offered by the new MMARS program; hands-on research, as listed in the Habitat Marte curriculum; and machine learning, listed by Womenovate.

However, like any space program, Cosmic Girls Foundation is reaching goals--then traveling beyond them.

Destination: spaceflight

Just recently, Cosmic Girls Foundation offered their 6 Girls 6 Continents Competition.

Recruiting girls from all over the world, they offered a chance for six finalists to receive astronaut training. The goal: one girl from each continent, gets to train.

And the grand-prize winner, funding permitting, will receive a free suborbital spaceflight!

Mindy says that, since the Foundation is still securing funding for the competition, they may soon re-open it to additional entrants. Here's the link to watch, for updates!

Mindy talked about her journey as a space professional and future astronaut, shared the story of Cosmic Girls Foundation and offered a preview of what may be next!

"My calling is...about how we work together as humans," says BridgeMakers Founder and Core Leader Dr. Ruth Diaz.

And in her leadership cooperative, compassion, community and leadership can result from facing conflict head-on.

Focusing on "being humans on purpose together", as their website says, BridgeMakers has a mission of creating resilient and collaborative virtual communities. In the process, Dr. Diaz explains, they build bridges between communities, while offering support to leaders to help them understand where communities can break down,

Disruption as innovation

Their method? To embrace "disruptive elements" in a way that challenges and strengthens these communities, fostering innovation, inclusion and understanding.

While most communities do not thrive on conflict, BridgeMakers looks to weave it into their fabric, seeing disruption as an opportunity for growth and understanding.

Dr. Diaz says that challenging those best practices by those who have faced exclusion from them is one of the best ways to expand what building community means.

Accordingly, BridgeMakers includes four key initiatives, which explore leadership as a shared journey, in the virtual space, in which all voices are heard.

A precursor to these initiatives is The Troll Project, which involves approaching "trolls", or disruptors, with empathy and compassion. Some ex-trolls are now members of the community, and Dr. Diaz says their experienced perspectives can be helpful to community leaders who have encountered problems.

BridgeMakers' initiatives

In addition, BridgeMakers, which meets weekly on multiple VR platforms, has initiatives for leadership development, inclusive community building and their "Human on Purpose" groups, which explore the multiverse together.

Dr. Diaz talked about her background, shared the story of BridgeMakers and The Troll Project, and offered a closer look at their work--including a "template" for building welcoming and diverse communities.

"...I think this is the most fun I've ever had in a job, ever," says Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum Marketing Manager Ashley Glenn.

Ashley came on board in her role at LVNHM in February, 2025--a matter of months before the museum rebranded. Formerly Las Vegas Natural History Museum, they added "Science" to their name in July, as they celebrated their 34th birthday.

Ashley explains that, while the museum has always offered both STEM and STEAM programming, the general public didn't seem to be aware that science was a core part of the curriculum.

And her talents, as a storyteller and artist, are being put to great use as she promotes the museum's interactive exhibits, special events and workshops. These include some expansions and additions to the curricula which garnered LVNHM a "Best of Las Vegas" top honor in 2024. (For 2025, they've also received a nomination! Ashley says the final winners will be announced in December.)

"I just love that I get to learn something new with every campaign," Ashley says.

"Every single thing we do, has a learning opportunity."

Interactive education

Creativity and interactivity are the hallmarks of those opportunities.

Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum's offerings include a menagerie where visitors get to interact with live animals, numerous hands-on exhibits and a number of special events. Over summer, they featured a "Rainforest Adventure" that included an interactive maze, monkey bars and even a zip line!

"That's how kids learn best...interactive activities," Ashley says.

Often, the young visitors are having such a good time at the exhibits and

special events that they don't realize they're learning--only that they're having fun.

Current and future programming

Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum is currently hosting a series of cultural programs for Hispanic Heritage Month, from now through Sunday, November 2nd. On Friday, October 31st, they will welcome visitors (including kids in costume, who will receive free admission!) to their popular "Dinoween" event. And they'll finish out the year with a full month of "December to Remember" exhibits and festivities.

Ashley talked about her background, shared some of her favorite experiences as a storyteller and artist in her role at LVNHM, and offered a closer look at some of the live animals with whom visitors get to interact.

"It's all about the exposure," explains True Robotics Founder and President Anthony Galgano.

"If kids aren't exposed to things at a young age, they won't have any interest in exploring it, later in life."

He's speaking of the roots of his own passion for robotics.

Accordingly, Anthony's Worcester, Massachusetts-based startup offers three educational robotics packages, designed to get students interested in robots from kindergarten on--and keep them learning as they have fun!

And at the same time, for educators who don't consider themselves "technical", True Robotics is removing the "intimidation factor" of teaching new technology. Their programs include professional development training, grab-and-go curricula and comprehensive educator support.

The robots

True Robotics' first robot is Treads, for grades K through 3. With its tank-like configuration, Treads is designed to get students, grades K through 3, familiar with the ways a robot works.

Progressively, the robotics packages become more complex.

Next, for grades 3 through 5, there's the Pilot robot kit. As students are challenged to build and program the robot, they're learning computer science and STEM skills.

And the third robot, Axle, is for grades 6 through 8. Axle connects students with real-world robotics applications, involving engineering design and programming challenges, according to True Robotics' website.

Goal: widespread inspiration

On True Robotics' website is the stated goal, "We want to inspire 35,000 students by 2025".

According to their just-updated website figures, as of late September, they're well on their way.

Listed are 29,000 students served through robotics; 355 instructors trained; and 2,700 robots delivered.

And next year, Anthony says, he would like to double the number of students reached.

Anthony talked about his background in robotics, shared a closer look at True Robotics' robotics packages and gave a preview of what's next!

"Our mission...is to expose kids to STEM and STEAM, and to have those 'aha' moments in (every program we sponsor)," says Scientech Foundation of Indiana President Jeff Rasley.

Those programs which they fund, through their grants, include robotics, maker spaces, and a program which actually teaches physics to preschoolers!

On their website, the Scientech Foundation states their mission as "supporting education programs in engineering, science, technology, medicine, and related fields", throughout the state.

But since he's been on board, Jeff says, the Foundation's support has expanded to STEAM education programs. He and several other members implemented the addition, giving grants to educational organizations in the arts, as well.

"Fascinating"

One of these arts programs, which Jeff describes as "fascinating", is the Center for the Performing Arts' "Science of Light & Sound" presentation, which happened in May.

The Foundation also currently sponsors two VEX Robotics teams, as well as a mobile science unit for local Girl Scouts, and some summer science camps, among their grantees.

In 2024, according to their website, the Scientech Foundation gave grants totaling $141,000 to both STEM and STEAM educational programs. They list their 2025 grants budget as $170,000.

And Jeff says they will be discussing grant applications for 2026 in October.

Jeff brings a unique background as an author, adventurer and philanthropist to his work with the Foundation. He's also the President of nonprofit Basa Village Foundation, as well as Coordinator and organizer of Himalayan treks & tours through award-winning travel agency Adventure GeoTreks.

And he has published 17 books so far--and offers coaching services to fellow writers! (Here's the link to his most recent book, the novella Presbyterian vs. Methodist Youth Groups Rumble in Pokagon Park.)

Jeff discussed his background, offered a closer look at some of the programs which the Scientech Foundation of Indiana supports and talked about what's next.