VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University's Scientific Visualization Laboratory will host its first open house of the academic year Oct. 7 and give the public an opportunity to experience cutting edge applications of virtual reality technology.

Tours of the lab begin at 6, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. and include viewing a full-featured array of applications in virtual reality. The university has developed several virtual reality programs for use in courses and in faculty and student research, including an international project to remotely control farm equipment in Japan from Valparaiso's campus.

Additional open houses for the academic year are scheduled on Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5. There is no charge to attend the open houses.

"Virtual reality is an increasingly important tool for scientists, doctors, engineers and many other professionals," said Dr. Kraig Olejniczak, dean of Valparaiso's College of Engineering. "The open houses offer a glimpse of how virtual reality is changing the world."

The public will see three-dimensional electromagnetic fields, explore bigger-than-life anatomy models and look at 12-foot wide DNA molecules, with professors and students on hand to answer questions and lead demonstrations. Visitors will also have the chance to experience some recreational virtual reality applications, including playing 3D Pong and CAVE Quake. More information about Valparaiso Scientific Visualization Laboratory is available online at valpo.edu/engineering.

Groups of six or more people are asked to make advance arrangements by sending an e-mail to Jeff.Will@valpo.edu at least two days prior to an open house. Organized groups such as class field trips, church youth groups and scouting groups are welcome to schedule an individual tour of the Scientific Visualization Laboratory via e-mail to Jeff.Will@valpo.edu.

The Scientific Visualization Laboratory is in Gellersen Center, Room 182, on the southeast corner of campus, just off U.S. 30 and Sturdy Road.

--For The Times