My name, along with my team members and the supervising professor for the project.
Virtual Environment made by my team
Unity is a cross-platform game development engine that is widely used for creating interactive 2D, 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) applications.
Engaging in the MURI program as part of my undergraduate experience has been an enriching journey. Focused on collaborative problem-solving, this program connects undergraduates like myself with other students. My specific project involves creating a Virtual Reality Model for Microelectronics Fabrication using software like Unity. Working within a proficient team of four computer science students, I benefit from the guidance of an experienced team lead with prior MURI project involvement. Despite being campus-based, this online engagement offers flexibility in work hours, allowing me to contribute at my convenience. Tasks include VR model hardware work, refining the virtual reality environment, and contirbuting to some developing 3D models. This experience aligns with my tech aspirations, providing exposure to virtual reality and enhancing crucial skills like teamwork, problem-solving, attention to detail, and coding, essential in my field.
For my engaged learning experience, I participated in the MURI (Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Institute) program, which offers a unique opportunity for collaboration between undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty mentors on real-world challenges. In this program, I am specifically involved in the development of a Virtual Reality Model for Microelectronics Fabrication. Utilizing VR software like Unity, my responsibilities include creating a simulation that replicates the intricate microelectronics fabrication process.
While the engaged learning experience is based on campus, it operates online, providing flexibility in terms of work hours. This flexibility allows me to work at my convenience, as long as I complete the assigned tasks. I chose to participate in this experience because it aligns with my goal of gaining exposure in the tech field, despite my limited prior experience. Virtual reality, with its fascinating applications, particularly in today's rapidly advancing world, captivates my interest and I believe it offers valuable insights into the future of technology. Furthermore, this opportunity enables me to build essential skills such as teamwork, independent problem-solving, attention to detail, and coding, which are highly valuable in the tech industry.
In our team, we utilized Blender and Unity for the project, but my personal contribution focused on using Unity. Before this project, I lacked prior experience with both of these software applications. However, I took it upon myself to learn these tools, especially Unity, which made me recognize my proficiency as a quick learner in adapting to new technologies—a crucial skill in the tech industry.
While my career goal is centered around software development, the exposure to virtual reality development equips me with versatile skills that can provide a competitive edge in the dynamic tech industry. The collaborative nature of the project mirrors the teamwork dynamics prevalent in the professional world, offering insights beyond the individual-focused classroom environment and aligning with coursework that emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and project management. Overall, my engaged learning experience serves as a practical bridge connecting theoretical coursework concepts to real-world applications, enhancing my skills and perspectives in the field of computer science.
In my engaged learning experience, I work within a team of three other students, guided by a student leader. While the nature of the project primarily involves independent work with limited interaction beyond our tasks, our team is notably diverse, comprising members from distinct ethnic backgrounds and varying social classes. Despite not directly interacting with external communities or the public, the collaborative dynamic within our team fosters engagement with diverse perspectives, ideas, and skills. While my engagement doesn't involve direct service to external communities, it emphasizes the importance of collaboration and individual contributions within the team context.
Engaging in the MURI program provided me with the opportunity to deliver a research presentation, fostering communication with fellow participants. This experience allowed me to interact with others, gaining insights from their research and discoveries.
SKILLS/LESSONS
Furthermore, I successfully learned and applied techniques to animate objects in Unity, showcasing my practical knowledge in leveraging Unity's features for dynamic and engaging visual experiences. Even though I haven't yet practically utilized coding to animate objects in the project, I acquired a solid understanding of the coding aspects within Unity as part of my involvement in the project. This comprehensive experience in Unity's animation capabilities and coding foundation enhances my versatility in contributing to diverse aspects of interactive and visually compelling projects.
Through this experience, I acquired proficiency in utilizing GitHub for version control. I gained a deep understanding of Git, the version control system, and honed my skills in navigating GitHub repositories. Specifically, I learned to leverage GitHub's features for effective version management, including the implementation of branches as a powerful tool for managing and isolating changes in collaborative coding projects. Additionally, I developed expertise in conflict resolution and branching strategies, addressing merge conflicts and acquiring valuable experience in maintaining a streamlined and collaborative coding environment. This newfound knowledge has equipped me with the ability to utilize GitHub as a crucial tool for version control, facilitating efficient collaboration and safeguarding individual contributions in coding projects.
This experience has provided me with valuable insights into effective project management. If entrusted with a leadership or managerial role overseeing either an independent project or collaborative team efforts, I am confident in my ability to handle the responsibilities. Through this experience, I have gained a clear understanding of project coordination and leadership, reinforced by regular Monday meetings to discuss project objectives, weekly updates presented through PowerPoint slides to showcase progress, and the utilization of a user-friendly communication app for seamless team interaction and addressing queries.
During my Engage learning experience with MURI, I was tasked with presenting our project at the IU Undergraduate Research Conference (IUURC). Accompanied by a fellow student who serves as a leader in our team, this was a novel experience for me, requiring me to discuss the project with an audience. Attending the presentation not only exposed me to the dynamics of research presentations but also provided valuable insights. Listening to other students' presentations allowed me to learn from their approaches and identify areas where I can improve and better prepare for future presentations. This experience has been instrumental in enhancing my presentation skills and contributing to my overall growth in research communication.
IMPACT
This engaging learning experience has impacted me in a good way. It is my first experience with something related to my field. I have acquired valuable skills that will prove advantageous in my future career. It also got me to present in my first research presentation. Through active involvement in the development of a Virtual Reality Model for Microelectronics Fabrication, I gained exposure to cutting-edge technologies like Unity. This newfound knowledge has not only aligned with my goal of gaining exposure in the tech field but also equipped me with essential skills such as teamwork, independent problem-solving, and attention to detail. Overall, the engaged learning experience has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth, shaping my outlook on collaboration, responsibility, and the dynamic nature of technology in today's world.
Additionally, this experience led me to collaborate on another Virtual Reality project, where the emphasis is on exploring more on the virtual reality aspect. Our focus revolves around enabling users to engage with various machines seamlessly within the VR setting.
CAREER CONNECTION
This experience has ignited a passion for technology and its applications, prompting me to seek additional experiences or projects that allow me to further contribute to innovative solutions. I am considering championing new causes or pursuing advanced projects in virtual reality development, inspired by the transformative potential of this technology. This experience has fostered connections with professionals in various careers, including software development, virtual reality development, and Augmented Reality (AR) development. Most importantly, this has provided me with the essential experiences required for potential involvement in a virtual reality job or occupation at any point in the future.
SUMMARY
Engaging in the MURI program as part of my undergraduate journey has been a transformative experience, shaping my skills and perspectives in the field of computer science. Focused on collaborative problem-solving, this program immersed me in a project creating a Virtual Reality Model for Microelectronics Fabrication using Unity. Working within a proficient team, I honed essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, attention to detail, and coding.Furthermore, the exposure to GitHub for version control and conflict resolution added a layer of practical expertise, enhancing my ability to collaborate efficiently in coding projects. This newfound knowledge solidified GitHub as a crucial tool for version control, contributing to streamlined and collaborative coding environments. The experience also sparked a passion for technology and its applications, prompting me to explore further opportunities in virtual reality development. It opened doors to potential career paths, connecting me with professionals in software development, virtual reality development, and augmented reality.
Overall, I am glad for JLN for making me get an extra push to apply for several experiences which made me gained this experience and which is will be valuable in my tech Journey.