UW Cowboy Sandbox to Feature Immersive Technology and Performances Feb. 24

A second edition of Cowboy Sandbox -- a spectacular fusion of immersive experiences, live performances and cutting-edge technology -- is planned Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium and SciDIY Makerspace, both located in the University of Wyoming’s Physical Sciences Building.

Open to the public, the program is hosted by UW’s Innovation Network (UWIN) and in collaboration with the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium.

“Do not miss this one-of-a-kind evening at the Cowboy Sandbox. Let’s ride the wave of innovation together,” says Jane Crayton, UWIN makerspace coordinator. She encourages attendees to obtain tickets as soon as possible, because the first event last November nearly filled up and the latest program will be at capacity.

“This event promises to transport you to new realms of excitement,” Crayton adds.

Crayton and Zane Scott, UWIN assistant coordinator, host the event.

The program will feature the work of Denver’s Timmy Edens, of Domemasters, who is fresh off his gig at last weekend’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas. He is an expert at projection-mapping and full-dome immersive visuals. His work also has been seen on The Sphere, a music and entertainment arena, in Las Vegas.

He will perform a full-dome show in the 64-seat planetarium. The program is scheduled from 7-10 p.m., with the live show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are required and can be obtained at https://uwyo.libcal.com/event/12031014. The program is open to all ages, Crayton says.

Besides Edens’ show, other live demonstrations featured in the planetarium are:

-- Corey Scott -- a techno maestro from Mother Earth Sound System in Denver -- will take the audience on a “techno odyssey” with Derek “OsVinci” Osterlund, of Laramie, providing immersive visuals. OsVinci will feature his intricate 3D renders and custom stage designs during Scott’s DJ set and will discuss his creative process at a breakout session focusing on the technology and techniques.

Scott, OsVinci and Edens also will perform extended sets during an after party at The Lair’s Club La Ramie, located at 207 S. Third St. Tickets for the after party -- to raise money for the artists -- cost $10 early and can be purchased in advance at https://clublaramie.bpt.me.

-- A project panel discussion in the planetarium and a game demonstration in the SciDIY Makerspace will feature UW’s Alan Buss, an associate dean in the College of Education, and Kyle Summerfield, director of the 3D Visualization Center. They will delve into the world of augmented reality and integrated social learning. Participants will discover how augmented reality can enhance the understanding of molecular processes. The SciDIY Makerspace is located in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building in Room B37 next to the planetarium.

-- Tours of the SciDIY Makerspace are scheduled from 7-10 p.m.

The project panel discussion from Buss and Summerfield opens the program, followed by Scott and Osterlund’s presentations, and Edens’ performance closes out the program.

Light refreshments will be available in the SciDIY Makerspace and the planetarium’s lobby.

To view the inaugural Cowboy Sandbox event, click here.

Each Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the SciDIY Makerspace, and sometimes in the planetarium, UWIN hosts a Sandbox Discovery, a weekly immersive event to learn and work on immersive projects for various platforms.

“It is a bring-your-own-project work party where you can use the equipment in the SciDIY Makerspace to make your own immersive media,” Crayton says.

To view the entire calendar of events, open to the public, click here.

For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.