The UPRAISE project was showcased at Madrid es Ciencia 2026 as part of the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) stand, with a strong focus on engaging pre-university students and fostering interest in STEAM disciplines through emerging digital technologies.
During the event, UPRAISE highlighted the transformative potential of technologies such as virtual worlds, XR (Extended Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and Artificial Intelligence, particularly within the fields of communication, education, and culture—key areas in which the URJC, through the Ciberimaginario Research Group, plays an active role.
To translate these concepts into tangible experiences, students participated in a range of interactive games and demonstrators designed to be both educational and entertaining. These experiences were developed using tools such as A-Frame and FrameVR, in collaboration with the XRCOMLAB at URJC, allowing participants to directly explore immersive environments and interactive narratives.
Through these hands-on activities, attendees were able to understand not only how these technologies function, but also the creative and professional opportunities they enable. The experience provided a practical introduction to how immersive and interactive media can be applied in real-world contexts, from storytelling and digital communication to innovative educational formats.
Importantly, the initiative also served to connect these technologies with academic pathways, introducing students to programmes such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Communication at URJC, as well as to the broader ecosystem of innovation and experimentation fostered within the DIGICOMLAB.
By combining playful interaction, technological exploration, and academic orientation, UPRAISE successfully positioned immersive technologies as accessible and inspiring tools for future generations, encouraging young people to envision their role in shaping the digital communication landscape.
