BETHLEHEM, PA — Lehigh University’s College of Education is leading a new era of educational research and innovation with ImmersED, a pioneering project harnessing immersive technology and social-emotional learning (SEL) to reimagine how students experience and succeed in science. Built on collaboration between faculty researchers, classroom educators, and Lehigh undergraduate and graduate students, ImmersED aims to engage diverse learners through active participation in dynamic, 360-degree science lessons that build both academic and social-emotional skills.
Developed within the state-of-the-art Immersive Learning Center at Centennial School, ImmersED is founded on the belief that education has its greatest impact when it addresses the needs of the whole child.
Faculty leaders Dr. Zilong Pan, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology, and Dr. Lia Sandilos, Associate Professor of School Psychology, developed their research project after touring Centennial and brainstorming ways they could apply immersive learning to their own areas of expertise. The resultant project is developing science curriculum modules—starting with an immersive lesson on the water cycle—where content and SEL strategies are combined to foster engagement, understanding, and personal growth.
“When you combine rich academic learning with SEL, especially through immersive environments, you’re meeting the whole child,” notes Dr. Sandilos. “We intend for students to not only understand the content, but also grow in confidence and connection.”
A key strength of ImmersED is its collaborative creation process. Faculty work closely with practicing classroom teachers and graduate students to develop and refine each module, continually using teacher and student feedback to improve lessons. This practical approach not only increases benefits for students but also provides graduate students with transformative field experiences—preparing them to become leaders and innovators in educational technology and SEL. COE researchers leverage these daily classroom experiences to identify best practices for teaching in immersive environments, tailoring each lesson to the needs, abilities, and interests of real learners.
Dr. Bridget Dever, Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education, describes ImmersED as a symbol of the college’s mission: “ImmersED is a great example of the high-impact research taking place in the college. Our faculty and students are collaborating in authentic learning environments to develop solutions for real educational challenges. It’s inspiring to see this kind of research translate so directly into student engagement and success.”
Dr. Robin Hojnoski, Professor and Dean of the College of Education, highlights Lehigh’s leadership in educational technology: “The College of Education is advancing technology to support learning by not only developing cutting-edge tools but also leading the way in understanding how these technologies can facilitate both academic growth and student well-being.”
The goal, as both parties agree, is that the strategies, lessons, and outcomes from ImmersED will inspire similar projects in classrooms across the region—helping more schools harness new technologies to promote deep, joyful learning and social-emotional resilience.
The research team is completing its first immersive learning module focused on the water cycle, with more curriculum units being developed. Participant feedback plays a key role in enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of new modules and maintaining a continuous connection between research and actual classroom needs. According to doctoral student Chloe Xu, whose perspective is featured in the new project video, “Collaboration with classroom educators, some of whom are also graduate students, ensures that our research results in meaningful outcomes for every student.”
To showcase the innovation, collaborative spirit, and tangible benefits of ImmersED, the College of Education has released a new video highlighting the project in action. Filmed on site at Centennial School’s Immersive Learning Center, the video brings these educational moments to life, featuring firsthand perspectives from educators and students as they navigate immersive science experiences and SEL-rich lessons. Viewers will see students build confidence, curiosity, and skills for their future. They will hear from COE researchers, teachers, and graduate students about the real-world power of integrating SEL into immersive educational practice.
“We are showing that when we immerse students into meaningful experiences, their excitement and willingness to learn is genuine,” says Dr. Sara Heintzelman, technology integration specialist at Centennial.
The College of Education’s dedication to research, innovation, and student well-being is highlighted by this work—and by the new video, which not only showcases ImmersED’s impact but also encourages the wider community to envision what’s possible at the crossroads of technology, empathy, and education. As Dr. Pan states: “This is about what happens when you give children—and their teachers—the tools and the confidence to go further than anyone thought possible. That’s the heart of ImmersED.”
As schools everywhere look for new ways to help all students learn and succeed, ImmersED stands out as a bold model for research-driven, technology-enhanced, and emotionally supportive education. With projects like this, Lehigh’s College of Education continues to lead the conversation on how new technologies can be used not only to improve learning, but also to enhance well-being and opportunity in our communities.
To watch the new video and learn more about ImmersED, visit the College of Education’s YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/4mvDcpM and discover how Lehigh University is helping to shape the future of truly inclusive, inspiring education—one immersive experience at a time.
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