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Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project

Bringing the City’s History to Life Through Immersive Tech

AI-generated image blending past and future, showing a lively jazz scene on the left with musicians in vintage clothing playing instruments on a city street. On the right, a futuristic scene features young people wearing virtual reality headsets, playing instruments like keyboards and saxophones. A glowing digital divide separates the two worlds, transitioning from sepia tones to neon blue. A sign reads "Destination Omaha," tying the historical and modern elements to the city.

Image generated using Chatgpt

🎯 Project Focus: Imagine stepping into an Omaha’s 1920s jazz, hearing the music, and meeting legendary musicians or seeing the sights at Omaha’s 1899 Greater American Exposition. "Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project makes this possible by using cutting-edge technology to transform how we experience local history." The Destination Omaha: Spatial Immersion Project will create an interactive, technology-driven experience that allows users to explore Omaha’s historical neighborhoods, businesses, and cultural landmarks. Through virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and generative AI, this initiative will bring Omaha’s history to life while providing students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge tech​nology.

💡 Why It Matters

  • Rediscover Omaha’s hidden stories: Many residents are unaware of Omaha’s role in national history—this project brings those stories to life in a way textbooks never could.
  • Step into history with cutting-edge technology: Virtual reality and augmented reality allow users to experience history, not just read about it.
  • Empower the next generation of tech leaders: By combining history with VR, AR, and AI, students gain hands-on workforce development skills that prepare them for their future careers.

🚀 Key Initiatives

  • Interactive Digital Storytelling
    • Explore Omaha’s landmarks and neighborhoods in VR & AR: Walk through the city’s past using interactive 3D experiences.
    • Meet history face-to-face: AI-generated historical figures share their stories and experiences.
    • Engage with living history: Interactive storytelling brings forgotten moments to life.
  • Community & Student Engagement
    • History meets innovation: Students, scholars, and community members collaborate to create immersive experiences.
    • Live events and interactive exhibits: Public workshops allow people to experience the technology behind the project.
    • Local voices shape the narrative: Community members contribute stories, ensuring authenticity.
  • Workforce Development & Emerging Tech
    • Collaborate with industry leaders: Work alongside professionals and scholars.
    • Tech meets the humanities: Gain hands-on skills in VR, AR, AI, and game development.
    • Create the future of education: This project pioneers new ways of learning that engage students directly in product development

📈 Impact Goals

  • Make Omaha’s history more interactive and accessible - Create immersive experiences that redefine how we connect with the past.
  • Prepare students for careers in digital humanities and tech – Equip students with skills in VR, AI, and digital storytelling.
  • Position UNO as a leader in immersive learning – Establish the university as an innovator in education and community engagement.
  • Create a model for future projects – Build a scalable approach that can be replicated in other cities, preserving history in new ways.