H-PHACTORS News

family at community day

H-PHACTORS Lab at Community Day

As part of Engineers Week at Binghamton University, the HPHACTORS Lab was delighted to participate in Community Day, where we immersed children in the world of virtual reality (VR) to spark curiosity about engineering and raise awareness about cancer prevention.

child in vr headset

Through interactive VR experiences, we introduced young minds to how immersive technology can be used not only for innovation but also for health education. 
Our goal was simple but powerful: help children understand the risks of smoking, encourage them not to start, and empower them to make informed decisions for their future.

Children today are increasingly exposed to environments where smoking and vaping are normalized. Early prevention matters. 

By combining engineering, immersive design, and health education, we can create engaging tools that make prevention meaningful and memorable.

students at community day

The kids were incredibly receptive, asking thoughtful questions, sharing reflections, and walking away with powerful lessons learned. Seeing their engagement reminded us why community-based science outreach is so important.