# REU Site: Summer Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Education-Emerging Interface Technologies

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Iowa State University (IA) · $455,896

## Abstract

The SPIRE-EIT (Summer Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Education - Emerging Interface Technologies) at Iowa State University is a 10-week summer program for undergraduates integrating research and education about emerging interface technologies (EIT). The project’s novelties are hands-on research experiences using cyberinfrastructure aligned with a mini-course curriculum in computer programming, 3D graphics, extended reality (XR), and human computer interaction (HCI). In addition, focused mentoring through one-on-one interviews, team meetings, and activities elicit the uncertainties and desired skills of the interns in the program. The research projects are presented at an end-of-the summer campus-wide research symposium in the form of posters, demos, and a five-page research paper. SPIRE-EIT recruits all American undergraduate students emphasizing graduate education preparation in the interdisciplinary area of HCI as well as including instruction on ethics and research-based evaluation techniques. These are skill areas critical to maintain the U.S. economy in multiple areas such as engineered products, accessible technologies, and education and training using XR.

Two major trends are driving research in EIT: 1) advances in computing technologies and 2) the use of interface technologies in many facets of everyday life. Research questions in the program focus on areas of EIT including XR, machine learning, information visualization, mobile interfaces, and intelligent software agents. These questions are explored through projects such as automating measurement of team skills in cooperative gaming, developing user interaction methods to resolve 3d printing defects, and soundscape design methods for immersive XR navigation and learning. Research projects are designed so that teams of three undergraduates make meaningful contributions over the course of the program. Faculty in Iowa State University's VRAC Research Center compete to participate in the SPIRE a

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2547899
- **Awardee organization:** Iowa State University (IA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DQDBM7FGJPC5
- **PI:** Eliot H Winer
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT, REU SITE-Res Exp for Ugrd Site
- **Estimated total:** $455,896
- **Funds obligated:** $455,896
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 10/01/2026 → 09/30/2029

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2547899

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2547899, REU Site: Summer Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Education-Emerging Interface Technologies. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2547899. Licensed CC0.

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