Workshops at the symposium

This year we are delighted to offer attendees an opportunity to participate in one of two workshops during the afternoon. Places are limited so make sure you register your interest early on the day. If you don’t get to attend one of the workshops, there is still lots of time to engage with the exhibitors, chat to other attendees or take a stroll outside to stretch the legs!

 

Workshop 1: Dual-Mode Design: Exploring Learning Through Real and VR Rube Goldberg Machines   

Facilitator: Hans Moolman, Munster Technological University 

Engineering students don’t just learn with their heads; they also learn with their hands, tinkering, tweaking, and testing ideas in the real world. Traditionally, that kind of mechanical magic happens in physical labs. But immersive technologies are opening the door to a new era of (engineering) education – one where students can experiment boldly, fail safely, and explore creatively in virtual spaces that don’t require lab coats, cleanup time, or a budget for broken equipment. VR offers a 

  • Group B will build a virtual Rube Goldberg Machine inside a VR physics sandbox (Gadgeteer VR).
After ~15 mins, the groups will swap places – physical builders will step into VR, and VR builders will tackle the real-world challenge.
In the end, everyone will compare notes:
  • Which exposed engineering weaknesses faster?
  • Which was more frustrating, more intuitive, or more fun?
By experiencing both, participants will uncover the strengths, limitations, and unique learning opportunities that each environment offers.cost-effective, highly engaging sandbox where (engineering) skills can be practised without the usual health-and-safety hurdles or the need for sprawling physical lab space.

 

Rube Goldberg Machines (RGM) are wonderfully overengineered contraptions that turn simple tasks into multi-step, domino-tipping, ball-rolling adventures. Part engineering puzzle, part creative improv, RGMs are famous for using everyday objects in unexpected ways and for failing spectacularly just when you think everything is perfect. They’ve long been a favourite in classrooms and competitions because building them intuitively teaches design thinking, iteration through failure, and inventive problem-solving.

 

The challenge: Physical RGMs take time, patience, and a certain tolerance for chaos, which can limit how playful and accessible the experience feels. This session brings that playful chaos to life in two different worlds – one real, one virtual – to explore how the medium shapes the learning experience. Participants will split into two groups.

 

Workshop 2: Using a theme like Space to teach any subject with XR   

Facilitator: Stephen Ringler, Spacestore 

 

Stephen is the Founder and CEO of SpaceStore, an experiential store dedicated to bringing space to everyone, everywhere, every day. As a trained aerospace engineer with over 20 years experience in the space sector, Stephen is committed to space education and public outreach and delivering space experiences to inspire a range of audiences. For more information visit Space Store – Bringing Space To Earth.

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EduXr26 - XR and Me: Learning in the New Realities Copyright © 2026 by Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest and Dr Geraldine McDermott is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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