VWBPE: Transitions
April 3-5, 2025
CONFERENCE MAP
The Conference Regions
The VWBPE Conference features 9×16 acre biomes, each with their own characteristics. Come visit and explore the exhibits. lectures, workshops, and social activities we have planned throughout the conference.
- Exhibits open Sunday, March 30
- Conference Presentations- April 3-5
- Immersive Experiences- March 24, 31, April 6-11
Regions
Badland Wilds
Rainbow Basin
Canopy Point
Desert Hinterlands
Grasslands Gateway
Jungle Habitat
Floating Meadows
Tundra Expanse
Wetlands Marsh
Game Preserve
The Atolls
Venues
Gateway: VWBPE Gateway
Lecture A: The Hearth
Lecture B: The Oasis
Lest We Forget: Lest We Forget
Quadrivium
Workshop A: Rock Theater
Workshop B: The Ruins
Speed Build Workshop
Speed Build Area
Speed Build Teams
Exhibits
JoinMeJoinUs ~ Connect For Change
Track: Advocacy
Affiliation: JoinMeJoinUs
Exhibit Architect: Buffy Beale (RL: Buffy Bye)
JoinMeJoinUs is a grassroots initiative designed to unite individuals who are passionate about creating positive change, regardless of their cause or concern. Our mission is to bring people together, foster collaboration, and empower action, one step at a time.
Together, we hold the collective power to drive meaningful change. Join me. Join us.
#joinmejoinus #phaseone #firstweconnect
https://www.joinmejoinus.org
Virtual Education Journal - VEJ
Track: Best Practices
Affiliation: Virtual Education Journal
Exhibit Architects: Roxie Neiro (RL: Rosie Vojtek), BJ Gearbox
The Virtual Education Journal (VEJ) was founded in 2011 and is Edovation’s flagship publication for digital and virtual learning. The journal is published four times each year with issues organized by a specific topic/theme, but includes non-thematic articles.
The purpose of VEJ is to: share the work that educators are doing in digital and virtual environments; disseminate educational and technological research, tools, and best practices; document and preserve the culture, social relations, digital work, environments, and digital artifacts; encourage and promote the work of educators and students to effectively utilize digital tools; and celebrate the lives, accomplishments and preserve the learning and legacies of educational leaders.
Trailblazing Women Of New Mexico
Track: Creativity and Innovation
Affiliation: University of New Mexico
Exhibit Architects: killlashandra lavendel, DeeDeeBeaker, bob hensley
Women have contributed many firsts in New Mexico. They have shaped New Mexico in both large and small ways over the years. Come explore a transition of changes and see the ways their contributions influenced a state. From the first woman bank president to the first woman to direct an orchestra, the educators and artists of New Mexico have enriched all our lives. Step up to our time machine and see what era you are teleported too!
Bringing Metaverse Educators Together
Track: Best Practices
Affiliation: VWEC
Exhibit Architects: Elli Pinion (RL: Becky Adams), Valibrarian Gregg
VWEC is dedicated to working with innovative educators and students and what they deal with every day. Transitions invite us to focus on technology changes and the importance of bringing educators and communities together to address challenges and celebrate the success. Our experience informs us and allow us to create new opportunities to adapt and improve. We celebrate the opportunity to work together with amazing problem solvers, creative planners and true innovators that make up the educational community in Virtual Worlds.
Tropicus
Track: Best Practices
Affiliation: None
Exhibit Architects: Johannes Huntsman, Tempest Rosca
Tropicus is an innovative and immersive exhibition designed to provide educators with a creative approach to teaching about the tropical biome. This exhibition will showcase the rich diversity and unique characteristics of tropical ecosystems while integrating engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Through a combination of artwork, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations, Tropicus aims to captivate students’ imaginations and deepen their understanding of the tropical biome.
Virtual Harmony: A Life Worth Living
Track: Best Practices
Affiliation: Colorado Technical University
Exhibit Architects: Lyr Lobo (RL: Cynthia Calongne), Lissena
“What does it mean to Live a Life Worth Living? Virtual Harmony is where our fellowship of friends called the Harmony Arts Society dream big and reflect on how to make our world a better place. This year, we focus on expressing what it means to Live a Life Worth Living.
In our research design, we integrated elements from Native American culture, best practices, character strengths, the qualities we value, and what resides at the heart of everything we do. We’ll share a glimpse of it in our VWBPE Transitions-themed exhibit. Join us and share your insights on Living A Life Worth Living.
At the Nonprofit Commons We All Have Wings
Track: Advocacy
Affiliation: Nonprofit Commons
Exhibit Architects: Zinnia Zauber (RL: Renne Emiko Brock), Buffy Beale (RL: Buffy Bye)
In the INXS song “Never Tear Us Apart,” the lyrics proclaim, “Cause we all have wings, but some of us don’t know why.” Love, acceptance, and advocacy for others are the uplift all our wings receive and provide in the Nonprofit Commons (NPC) virtual community. Not angel wings, but of a butterfly transformed from lonely and low to finding the air and its inclusive, innovative gathering of friends. A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope. Ever-changing patterns are the reflective and adaptive metaphor of the dedicated NPC family, which is in a constant flux of learning, applying, and teaching new technology and engagement to improve people’s expression, mission, and conviction to create a positive impact on the world. You can fly!
Sustainable To Regenerative Living
Track: Advocacy
Affiliation: Brain Energy Support Team
Exhibit Architect: Namaara MacMoragh
Transitioning From Sustainable To Regenerative Living is more than a tag line. It’s the underlying motivation for creating the BEST lives we can. Visitors will be able to participate in activities and learning experiences that guide and encourage them to create change in their daily lives and promote awareness of new ideas while fostering community engagement. This interactive exhibit focuses on showcasing the core values of Etopia and how, in partnership with the Brain Energy Support Team, we can transition from where we are to where we want to be. To learn more visit https://etopiaisland.org
Exhibits
The Tree is Life: Games, Stories, Learning
Track: Creativity and Innovation
Affiliation: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Exhibit Architect: Letty Luckstone (RL: Leticia De Leon)
Step into a story brought to life through the immersive experience of a game. At the heart of this exhibit stands a tree: a symbol of branching narratives and the dynamic, unfolding nature of interactive storytelling. Follow the organic paths of the story, where each choice shapes the journey, blurring the line between player and character. This exhibit invites you to engage with storytelling as more than just an observer. It is both a game and a learning experience, revealing how stories and gameplay intertwine to create deeper engagement. Discover how interactivity transforms narrative into a living experience.
The Roots of Wisdom: Listen Learn Grow
Track: Collaboration and Communication
Affiliation: Ageless Mind Project
Exhibit Architects: Thuja Hynes, Francisco Koolhoven, Jasmine Lordenwych, Lissena
At Whole Brain Health, Collective members are each gifted a parcel, and are free to develop it as they choose. They can create either scheduled activities or self-guided experiences there.
The exhibit shows past & present Collective portraits, a visual testament to the many individuals who have brought their own visions to life here. The portraits change, but the creative spirit remains.
Our exhibit will use a “talking tree” where you can listen to WBH Collective members share their own development. Clickable stations provide links to areas at WBH.
Areas represented include:
* Education
* Idea Exploration & Discussion
* Sheltering and support
* Arts/Music/Literature
* Environment
* Brain Challenges
KREATYA: A STUDENT JOURNEY IN VIRTUAL WORLDS
Track: Research and Studies
Affiliation: San Jose State University VCARA
Exhibit Architect: Kreatya Shannon (RL: Shannon Broden)
Shannon Broden (avatar Kreatya Shannon) recently graduated with a Masters in Library Science from San Jose State University. During her time there, she spent a lot of her time in virtual worlds including Second Life, Kitely, Frame VR, Spatial as well as many others. At the school’s receptions for the California Library Association and the American Library Association, she presented posters on her virtual world experiences. Come see those posters on display in Second Life in this exhibit at VWBPE!
Virtual Museum Team Experiences
Track: Creativity and Innovation
Affiliation: Virtual Museum Team
Exhibit Architects: Brian Aviator (RL: Brian K. Perry), Kevin Cerulean
The Virtual Museum Team transforms learning into an immersive adventure, curating dynamic museums within the virtual worlds of Second Life and OpenSimulator. This exhibit showcases four engaging spaces: the Museum of Computing History, chronicling technological computing breakthroughs across the centuries; the Museum of Telecommunications, tracing the evolution of global connectivity; the LGBTQ History Museum, celebrating resilience, identity, and community; and Brevin Cat Island, a charming retreat for curious feline enthusiasts. Led by curator Brian Aviator, with Kevin Cerulean ensuring a seamless experience, the team is dedicated to making education interactive, accessible, and truly unforgettable.
Moving Forward: Gamified Learning & AI Help
Track: Best Practices
Affiliation: VBCPS
Exhibit Architect: Bluebarker Lowtide
It’s no secret that AI is being slowly embedded into Education, Business, Work, and Beyond. So come find that healthy balance where AI can help your educational work flow and actually provide assistance and not just take over. We will also showcase some new features implemented into Gamified Learning through the use of AI-Generated Visuals and the use of semiotic Ai-powered Chat Bots for more immersion into Core Course Content and then some.
Community Transitions in Creative Industries
Track: Collaboration and Communication
Affiliation: Front Range Community College
Exhibit Architects: Abacus Capalini (RL: Chris Luchs), Kavon Zenovka, LeeDale Shepherd
For the Transitions theme, this exhibition will show how a creative industries educational program is adapting and refining curriculum. Denver and the surrounding Metro area have embraced immersive art, immersive theater and shows which include virtual environments, game design and theater arts technology. This exhibit will provide visitors with a creative build on community transitions in the creative industries that will additionally have visual resources and links to online resources for Front Range Community College’s (FRCC) Bachelors of Applied Science for Business in the Creative Industries (BCI) Program.
https://www.frontrange.edu/programs-courses/program-list/creative-industries-bas.html
Avatar Appearance with GPA
Track: Tools and Products
Affiliation: Ghostraven Professional Attire
Exhibit Architect: Beth Ghostraven
This cozy shop includes free clothing for women and men, as well as notecards and posters describing how to tailor your avatar appearance to look like the professional you are. Ghostraven Professional Attire (GPA) focuses on modest BOM / system and flexi prim clothing for the Second Life human avatar. This clothing may be worn on mesh avatars with BoM (Bakes On Mesh) capability. We can help you match your avatar self with the professional image that you wish to convey.
Sponsors
LL - Linden Lab
Second Life is a vast virtual world where users can explore, discover, and create. It offers a myriad of experiences, from music clubs and roleplaying communities to virtual cinemas, providing an always surprising and engaging environment. It’s an inclusive space for self-expression and community building, where users can also shop in a virtual marketplace, earning real profits. The platform facilitates remote meetings with fun virtual spaces, trusted by leading companies and educators for over a decade. For more information, visit Second Life.
Created by Linden Lab – Linden Lab is a San Francisco-based internet company most famous for creating Second Life, an online virtual world launched in 2003. The company was founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale to create a revolutionary virtual world that would allow users to live out alternative lives in a virtual setting. In Second Life, users, through their avatars, can explore vast landscapes, meet other users, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade virtual property and services, and much more, effectively simulating a complex virtual economy and society.
Over the years, Linden Lab has continued to develop and expand Second Life, maintaining its position as one of the most popular and enduring virtual worlds on the internet. The platform has been used for a wide range of purposes, including socializing, entertainment, education, and business, due to its highly versatile environment that allows users to create and experience almost anything they can imagine.
Beyond Second Life, Linden Lab has experimented with other projects and products, though none have reached the same level of success and recognition. The company’s focus on digital worlds and virtual economies has kept it at the forefront of discussions about virtual reality, online communities, and the potential for digital spaces to offer rich, immersive experiences.
Linden Lab’s work has paved the way for discussions about the metaverse, a collective virtual shared space, and has influenced a wide range of virtual reality and online social platforms that have followed.
RU - Rockcliffe University Consortium
Rockcliffe University Consortium is an online organization dedicated to advancing technology in education. It focuses on making technology accessible for adult education, aiming for affordability and scalability. Rockcliffe supports service and education in 3D virtual environments, providing public education on overcoming the learning curve associated with virtual collaborative workspaces. Their offerings include forums, seminars, and educational programs on 3D content development, workspace effectiveness, and the social implications of virtual environments, with a particular focus on how these environments impact knowledge emergence and transfer. For more information, you can visit their website at Rockcliffe University Consortium.
VA - Virtual Ability, Inc.
Virtual Ability, Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports individuals with a range of disabilities to engage and thrive in online virtual worlds. Since 2007, it has been providing a community enriched with educational, social, and entertainment opportunities, alongside peer support. The organization collaborates with professionals for virtual world research, positioning itself as a leader in services, employment, and accessibility information for people with disabilities in these digital spaces. For more information, visit Virtual Ability.
KC - Knomaze Corporation
Knomaze Corporation specializes in information management and IT consultation, helping government and companies enhance competitiveness since 1997. They focus on knowledge management, business strategy, strategic analysis, change management, project management, and business process re-engineering, achieving measurable productivity improvements for clients.
WBH - Ageless Mind Project
The Ageless Mind Project aims to foster an ageless mind through a dynamic way of being, characterized by alertness, curiosity, flexibility, optimism, playfulness, creativity, reflection, and connection. It promotes healthful aging by offering individualized approaches to wellbeing, intergenerational conversations, and a wide range of topics on its Substack blog.
The project also explores wellbeing in the metaverse through its virtual arm, Whole Brain Health, focusing on enhancing cognitive functioning for people aged 50 and older.
For more information, visit Ageless Mind Project.
JOVS - Journal of Virtual Studies
The Journal of Virtual Studies (JoVS), hosted by Rockcliffe University Consortium, is dedicated to exploring the use of virtual spaces in education. It aims to stimulate learning through multimodal platforms, consider human interaction (both simulated and real), break barriers to education with innovative spaces, prepare learners for digital literacy, and encourage new assessment methods within authentic contexts. JoVS was a biannual, peer-reviewed publication focusing on education across all ages in virtual spaces. For more details, visit JoVS.
AD - Agile Dimensions
Agile Dimensions offers support to teams through ScrumMaster roles, training, and coaching, with a focus on large scale enterprise teams and distributed collaboration. The company brings over 20 years of experience in programming, performance, project management, training, and enterprise coaching, having worked with significant entities in the financial and healthcare industries.
The expertise includes applying agile project management techniques since 2001 and teaching them to over 2,000 people worldwide. Agile Dimensions is known for presenting at key industry conferences and for developing the Agile Journey Index assessment technique.
The company boasts the ‘grand slam’ of all four advanced level Agile certifications, including the Scaled Agile Framework SPC, ScrumMaster (CSM) and ScrumMaster Professional (CSP), PMI’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and ICAgile Expert Agile Coach (ICP-AC). It continues to enhance its coaching skills through advanced studies in facilitation and education technology.
Agile Dimensions also hosts the Distributed Agile Study Group and participates actively in professional communities related to agile project management, training, and coaching. The approach is not just focused on courses but on collaborating to significantly improve team results.