Proposal

Narrative

The Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute education team will bring AlensiaXR HoloAnatomy mixed/augmented reality software/headsets demonstrations to FAU's anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience classes in association with course directors. This cutting-edge technology enhances instruction, boosts student engagement/retention, and prepares students for healthcare/neuroscience careers. Benefits: - Immersive 3D visualizations - Improved academic performance and STEM enrollment - Increased brain health awareness/mental wellness on campus and in local communities - Engagement with early-stage STEM students from college to middle/high school - Enhanced career exploration and medical education - Undergraduate teaching fellowships offering hands-on experience and skill development - Next generation of STEM scientists including neuroscientists and aspiring health care professionals. The human brain plays a remarkable role in shaping our perception of reality. Neuroscientists understand this intricacy, but it's a fascinating mystery to many others Optical illusions captivate us, demonstrating how our brains construct and interpret the world. Our demonstrations will explore this phenomenon, revealing how the brain creates and manipulates reality, and provide a beginning point for discussion as to how mind emerges from brain. By uncovering these secrets, we'll spark curiosity and inspire further exploration into the complexities of the human brain. By teaming up with AlensiaXR, FAU will inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and neuroscientists, addressing Florida's growing demand. We have developed a partnership with AlensiaXR to implement their state-of-the-art educational platform that is now replacing studies with cadavers in many medical schools. As noted in the letter from the AlensiaXR CRO, the company is excited to partner with us and grow their platform using in-house generated content and videos that can carry the FAU brand moving forward.

Facilities

Hardware Requirements

20 Meta Quest 3 headsets ($499 each) = $9,980 are included in our quote. We have reviewed this technology on site, and it meets OIT standards. The Meta Quest 3 leverages a hybrid approach to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) by incorporating pass-through technology. The pass-through technology represents a significant step forward in the evolution of VR and AR, offering users a more versatile and engaging experience with multiple software types in one device. Optional headset accessories for 20 headsets (One-time costs) are included in our quote: - Comfort head straps ($31.99 each) = $640 - CoBak Hard Carrying Case for VR headset, controllers and accessories ($18.99 each) = $380. - Total for Headset accessories = $1020 One-time total for hardware + accessories = $11,000

Software Requirements

This project complies with OIT standards. The AlensiaXR HoloAnatomy software requires: - Annual Software Fee: $25,000 per year for a 4-year license based on upfront payment (includes platform access, updates, support, data storage, and maintenance/security) = $100,000 - One-time mandatory costs include: - Implementation Fee (Year 1), includes Platform Account Provisioning, Online orientation and training, and Go-live support ($5,000) - Onsite training ($1,850/day @ 2 days = $3,700) - One-time implementation total = $8,700 Total 4-year contract: $108,700 (One-time payment of $108,700 in Year 1 will include 4-year software license and installation fees) We will save $20,000 by licensing the platform for 4 years upfront. Please refer to the attached quote for comprehensive pricing information.

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

N/A

Timeline

Spring 2025 - Purchase AlensiaXR HoloAnatomy headsets and software - Receive training and run tests/demonstrations with undergraduate groups and community educators Summer 2025 - Testing and integration during field trips to the institute - HoloAnatomy implementation in: - Fieldtrips - Undergraduate programs - Summer camps (Tech Trek) for 8th-grade STEM students and undergraduate summer classes Year-round (2025-2029) - Implementation in targeted classes: - Honors Behavioral Neuroscience (CRN 334) - Morphology and Function 1/2 Labs (PCB 3703L/BSC 5931, PCB 3704L/BSC 5931) - Neurophysiology (PCB 4832C/6835C) Post-2029 We plan to secure additional funding through philanthropy, institutional, state, and federal grant mechanisms to continue licensing and project expansion.

Sustainability

A core feature of the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s contributions to the university is its community programming, which ensures sustainability of the project beyond the period of acquisition. Over the next 4 years, the institute will demonstrate the platform to its community partners which have to date contributed over $1.5 M to education and community endeavors. We work closely with FAU Advancement to tell the stories of our success in educating youth in STEM fields and submit 3-4 education-oriented grants each year. The university supports educational programming at FAU, including director of graduate education and director of community engagement and programming annually. Community sponsors have previously augmented our educational resources and are potential funding sources for supplemental HoloAnatomy platform features.

Resource Matching

The Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) commits to providing: - Staff resources: Education director and dedicated junior personnel for demo implementation - Facility usage: Dedicated areas within the 60,000 sq ft Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute are committed to demonstrations and courses that benefit from the technology. The equipment is highly portable and will make use of classrooms and educational laboratories around the various FAU campuses. Our MobileMinds vans are equipped with storage areas to transport the holoanatomy technology between campuses and to the community.

Implementing Organization

The Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) commits to providing: - Staff resources: Education director and dedicated junior personnel for demo implementation - Facility usage: Dedicated areas within the 60,000 sq ft Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute are committed to demonstrations and courses that benefit from the technology. The equipment is highly portable and will make use of classrooms and educational laboratories around the various FAU campuses. Our MobileMinds vans are equipped with storage areas to transport the holoanatomy technology between campuses and to the community.