AFRL's gaming research lab relocates, partners with STEM school

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (GRILL) celebrated not only its new location, but also a new partnership with the Dayton Regional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) School (DRSS) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The GRILL’s new space is part of the local STEM school’s30,000 square foot expansion, which also includes five classrooms, a sciencelaboratory, an assembly space, and the Vectren Innovation Laboratory.

“This is the culmination of work to develop a collaborativeDRSS GRILL space, funded by the State of Ohio as well as the school,” explainedDr. Winston “Wink” Bennett, the Readiness Product Line lead for AFRL’s 711thHuman Performance Wing. “The goal was to graduate the GRILL from the technologyincubator at its former location (Tec^Edge) to a full-fledged gaming, modelingand simulation-based research and development space—one that also supports STEMdevelopment with the school and larger community.”

The new GRILL space, which consists of a parachutesimulator, 3-D printers and a host of computer stations, is one of the few AirForce labs now located inside a public school.

Stephanie Adams, DRSS community outreach director, statedthat the total expansion will allow the school to grow the student populationby 20 percent by 2025, which will provide for more students in the Daytonregion to access and experience all that DRSS has to offer.

During the October 2018 brick-breaking ceremony that kickedoff the school’s expansion project, AFRL’s Executive Director Jack Blackhurststated that AFRL was “all in” on any efforts to increase opportunities in STEMcareer fields. Then during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he reiterated thatcommitment, and echoed the goals of Air Force leadership.

“This is a long-term commitment for us—we’re here for thelong haul,” Blackhurst said. “And this is what [former Secretary of the AirForce] Dr. Heather Wilson wants us to do—to get out in the community anduniversities to get more engaged in these activities that then bring newinterests and technology to the laboratory from a variety of resources.”

Researchers in the GRILL evaluate existing and alternative gaming technologies to support and improve military education and training, including pilot and maintenance training, Bennett explained.

Source: US Air Force