ACM SIGGRAPH Education Community

Welcome

Welcome to the 4th annual Soiree Symposium on Innovation, Research, and Experiences in Education hosted by the SIGGRAPH Education Committee. 

Welcome and Introduction featuring:

• Glenn Goldman – New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA,  SIGGRAPH EDU Committee Chair
• Nick Jushchyshyn – Drexel University, USA, Master of Ceremonies

The SIGGRAPH Education Committee kicked off the 2025 SOIREE with a warm welcome from Chair Glenn Goldman and event organizer Nick Jushchyshyn. The session highlighted the growth of the symposium, the value of community collaboration, and ongoing opportunities to participate in education initiatives throughout the year—including the Educators Forum, SpaceTime Competition, and SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver.

Presented by:

• Bernardo Marques – University of Aveiro, Portugal
• Richard Thompson – New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA 

This opening session of SOIREE 2025 features Bernardo Marques and Richard Thompson exploring immersive learning through virtual reality and level design. Marques shared a VR-based prototype for enhancing geoscience education using 3D reconstructions of field sites. Thompson presented a scaffolded curriculum that guides students through a complete 3D production pipeline—emphasizing creative constraints, modular design, and industry-ready workflows. A lively discussion followed on student interaction, affordability, and balancing ambition with technical realism.

Presented by:

• Angela Hernandez-Scoggins – Austin Peay State University, USA
• Matt Dombrowski – University of Central Florida, USA

This SOIREE 2025 session features Angela Hernandez-Scoggins (Austin Peay State University) sharing inclusive teaching strategies for neurodivergent students, and Matt Dombrowski (University of Central Florida) presenting student-led innovations in assistive technology through Limitless Solutions. Topics included gamification, cross-disciplinary collaboration, self-advocacy, and the ethical integration of AI in creative education.

Presented by:

• Rochele Gloor – School of Visual Arts, USA
• Paul Griswold – Middle Tennessee State University, USA

The SOIREE 2025 session on AI in the Classroom, moderated by Glenn Goldman, featured presentations by Rochele Gloor and Michael Gold from the School of Visual Arts on integrating generative AI into computer arts curricula, including course examples using Midjourney, Runway, and TouchDesigner. Paul Griswold from Middle Tennessee State University shared how he built custom GPTs to support students with 24/7 classroom-specific AI tools.  

Presented by:

• Marcio Goncalves – University of Central Florida, USA
• Johannes DeYoung – Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• Eva Ziemsen – Humber Polytechnic, Canada
• Christopher maraffie – North Carolina State University, USA

The SOIREE 2025 session on Realtime Graphics for Storytelling and Engagement featured Marcio Goncalves on GPU rendering alternatives for animation students at UCF, Eva Ziemsen and her team on delivering a metahuman keynote via remote virtual production, Gregory Bennett on hyper-reality experiments in live motion capture at NC State, and Johannes DeYoung on interdisciplinary shadow play performances at Carnegie Mellon. 

Presented by:

• John Cays – New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA
• Chris Baeza – Drexel University, USA
• Nick Jushchyshyn – Drexel University, USA
• Barbara Klein – Texas A&M University, USA
• Joe Geigel – Rochester Institute of Technology, USA

The SOIREE 2025 session on Cross Disciplinary Collaborations & Applications features presentations on innovative partnerships across architecture, digital media, and interactive technologies. John Cays discusses strategies for uniting architectural education with real-world digital workflows. Chris Baeza and Nick Jushchyshyn share collaborative student-led projects bridging animation, immersive media, and experiential storytelling. Barbara Klein explores team-based development in interdisciplinary classrooms, while Joe Geigel highlights cross-campus efforts in live performance and motion capture.  

Presented by:

• Kaia Olsen – University of Iowa, USA
• Mayet Andreassen – Texas A&M University, USA
• Caleb Kicklighter – Texas A&M University, USA
• Nick Jushchyshyn – Drexel University, USA
• Cheryl Briggs – University of Central Florida, USA

This SOIREE 2025 session on Jumpstarting with New Techniques and Approaches, moderated by Nandhini Giri, explores inventive classroom approaches: Kaia Olsen (University of Iowa) introduces a low-barrier CG pipeline using phone-captured data and Goss-and-Splatting; Cheryl Briggs (UCF) shares her “speed-running” strategy to fight procrastination with timed assignment sprints; and a team from Texas A&M and Drexel (Andreassen, Kicklighter, Jushchyshyn) highlight a summer virtual production course where students created short films with LED walls and real-time ICVFX.

Presented by:

• Michael Walsh – Texas A&M University, USA
• Gregory Bennett – Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
• Cheryl Briggs – University of Central Florida, USA

The SOIREE 2025 session on Virtual Humans & Motion Capture features Michael Walsh (Texas A&M) sharing insights from industry and his educational motion capture pipeline using Unreal and MotionBuilder, Gregory Bennett (Auckland University of Technology) discussing experimental and abstract uses of mocap in fine arts and animation, and Cheryl Briggs (University of Central Florida) presenting Studio 500, a hands-on mocap stage supporting interdisciplinary education and industry partnerships.  

Presented by:

• Nick Jushchyshyn – Drexel University, USA, Master of Ceremonies
• Nandhini Giri – Purdue University, USA
• Ginger Alford – SIGGRAPH 2025 Conference Chair

The SOIREE 2025 closing session, hosted by Nick Jushchyshyn and Nandhini Giri, featured a preview of SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver. Conference Chair Ginger Alford shared her vision for a bold, data-driven future, while Education Chair Nandhini Giri discussed opportunities for educators to engage through panels, courses, and Educators Day. The session closed with insights on collaboration, submission deadlines, and year-round community building.