Responding to a critical need for advanced training methodologies in the meat processing sector, this initiative, launched at the behest of Oklahoma's Secretary of Agriculture, harnesses Virtual Reality (VR) technology to enhance skills and safety training. The project involves conducting detailed focus groups to accurately assess training requirements, collaborating with a distinguished advisory board to co-design effective training modules, and developing VR-based prototypes specialized in carcass cutting and safety protocols. This integrative approach, combining expert insights with cutting-edge technology, aims to significantly uplift training standards and operational efficiency in the meat processing industry. A preliminary study assessing the training's impact involved 60 participants, demonstrating that VR-based training holds considerable promise as a method for effectively upskilling workers in the meat processing industry.

This initiative aims to launch a comprehensive project with well-defined short-term and long-term objectives focused on the digital preservation of Native American cultural heritage. In the preliminary phase, the project will employ volumetric scanning techniques to create a high-fidelity digital representation of a historically significant Native American museum, along with 3D scanning of the artifacts housed within. This endeavor serves as a pilot for our overarching ambition: the establishment of a state-wide digital repository featuring volumetrically scanned Native American museums across Oklahoma. This digital archive will be developed under the auspices of a dedicated Digital Heritage Preservation Program, ensuring the long-term safeguarding and accessibility of these invaluable cultural assets.