Pennsylvania Western University’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies celebrated the 10th anniversary of Remake Learning Days by hosting a hands-on virtual reality and metaverse exploration lab on May 2.

Remake Learning Days is a global learning festival designed to spark curiosity and creativity in youth and families through thousands of interactive events held at schools, libraries, museums, parks and community spaces. The 2026 festival marked a decade of connecting learners of all ages with engaging, real-world experiences.

PennWest’s event, held in Baron-Forness Library on the Edinboro campus, invited participants to step into immersive digital environments using Meta virtual reality technology while exploring how emerging tools are transforming education, creativity and communication.

The program was led with support from Remake Student Learning Ambassadors Amelia Lehr and Cayden Lehr, students from the Millcreek School District, who helped guide families through the experience. Their leadership created an inclusive and engaging environment where participants could learn from one another while exploring the possibilities of virtual worlds. Events like this highlighted how immersive technologies can foster curiosity, collaboration and meaningful learning for learners of all ages.

The interactive, drop-in experience was designed for youth, families and community members of all experience levels. Participants engaged with guided VR activities, including exploring virtual worlds, interacting with simulations and experimenting with creative applications that allowed users to build and design in immersive spaces.

Facilitators from the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Experiential Learning provided support throughout the session, helping attendees navigate the technology and better understand how virtual reality and the metaverse are used across industries such as education, healthcare, workforce development and the arts.

In addition to hands-on exploration, the event introduced key concepts related to digital citizenship, privacy and the ethical use of emerging technologies. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, try new experiences and reflect on how immersive tools can support learning, collaboration and innovation.