UMaine demos gesture-based math program at virtual reality expo, WABI reports

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

June 20, 2017 In the News, News, School of Learning and Teaching

WABI (Channel 5) covered the Virtual Reality Immersive Expo hosted by the Maine Department of Education and Maine State Library in Augusta. The event allowed Maine educators to discuss how they’re using virtual technology in their curriculum and demo some groundbreaking programs, WABI reported. The University of Maine’s Immersive Mathematics in Rendered Environments lab showed off HandWaver. Developed by students and recent graduates, the gesture-based program lets learners use their hands to explore mathematical objects in virtual three-dimensional space. “The idea is to be able to create an environment where learners at all levels can use gestures and natural movements of their hands to make and explore mathematical figures,” said Justin Dimmel, an assistant professor of mathematics education and instructional technology at UMaine.