DOST-funded project · Flagship grant
Immersive Science Communication Open Laboratory
Curating and creating engaging immersive content, integrating hands-on experiments, and building an interconnected network of physical + virtual labs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- DOST
- Funding agency
PCIEERD monitors - UPOU
- Implementing agency
FICS · ISTaR Labs - 3
- Island clusters
Luzon · Visayas · Mindanao - Open
- Accessible & inclusive
by design
About ISCOLab
Science made immersive and open to all
ISCOLab is a DOST-funded project under the Immersive Open Pedagogies Program that aims to curate and create engaging and instructive immersive content, integrate hands-on activities and experiments, foster user cooperation and social engagement, evaluate and iterate immersive experiences, and promote accessibility and inclusivity.
Immersive Technology
A broad umbrella for VR, AR, XR, and MR devices and techniques that create a sense of reality despite the experience being a simulation.
Science Communication
Simplifying scientific knowledge, increasing scientific literacy, combating misinformation, and stimulating technological adoption.
Project Lead: Dr. Roberto Figueroa Jr. — with interns, student builders, and faculty collaborators across the UPOU system.
What ISCOLab does
Five objectives, one open lab
Curate & Create
Engaging, instructive immersive content for science learning — from 360° media to interactive VR.
Hands-On Learning
Integrate activities and experiments so learners do science, not just watch it.
Cooperation
Foster user collaboration and social engagement inside shared virtual spaces.
Evaluate & Iterate
Rigorously test immersive experiences and improve them with evidence.
Access & Inclusion
Promote accessibility and inclusivity across devices, hubs, and learners.
Satellite Hubs
Extend the lab beyond Los Baños with hubs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Equipment
Equipped for the best experience
Meta Quest 3
Flagship standalone headset for high-fidelity immersive builds and demos.
Meta Quest 2
Workhorse headsets for classes, internships, and satellite hubs.
MySense VR
Additional immersive hardware for experimentation and evaluation.
Partners
A joint effort between government and university
Department of Science and Technology
DOST
Funds the ISCOLab project and its nationwide lab ecosystem.
DOST – PCIEERD
PCIEERD
Monitors progress, outputs, and outcomes of the funded program.
UP Open University
UPOU · FICS · ISTaR
Implements research, builds, training, and satellite hubs.
Team
Meet the ISCOLab team
Dr. Roberto Figueroa Jr.
Project Director and Dean
Mary Kristene D. Clariño
Project IT Specialist
Jessa G. Perez
Role / Position
Jennifer P. Pareja
Role / Position
John Alain S. Orbe
Project Technical Assistant IV
Maria Andrea P. Bodaño
Project Technical Assistant II
Antoni Ernest Paul P. Mercado
Project Technical Aide V
Keep exploring
Related links
Student Metaverse Exhibits
Learner-built cultural exhibits in shared virtual spaces.
Open → SpacesVirtual Spaces
Persistent worlds for classes, events, and research.
Open → ConveningWILLS 2026
World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium at UPOU.
Open → ReviewsImmersive Tech Reviews
FrameVR, Blender, and tooling guides from the lab.
Open →Contact ISCOLab
Host a hub, intern, or collaborate
Tell us whether you want satellite-lab partnership, internship, or joint research.
- OfficeUP Open University, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
- Phone(+6349) 536-6001 to 06
- HoursMonday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PHT