2025-10-24: Reign in Science 2025: A Celebration of Discovery at Old Dominion University

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Old Dominion University once again lived up to its Monarch spirit on October 11, 2025, as the College of Sciences, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Michael and Kimthanh LĂȘ Planetarium joined forces to host the Reign in Science 2025 program — a day filled with exploration, creativity, and curiosity.

Reign in Science Day is Old Dominion University’s annual campus-wide STEM outreach event designed to spark scientific curiosity among K–12 students and their families. Hosted by the College of Sciences, the program brings together faculty, graduate students, and research groups from across departments to showcase hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, and real-world applications of science and technology. The goal is simple: to make science accessible, fun, and inspiring for learners of all ages while giving the community a glimpse into the groundbreaking research happening at ODU.

 

Science in Action

The event transformed into hubs of interactive science activity tables. Students, K–12 students, faculty, and families engaged in hands-on experiments and demonstrations that brought chemistry, physics, and environmental sciences to life. Whether it was testing reactions, exploring materials, or uncovering the mysteries of the microscopic world, every table had something to spark wonder in attendees of all ages.


The Computer Science Spotlight: 

The Computer Science Department at Old Dominion University is home to several vibrant research groups, including the Web Science and Digital Libraries (WebSciDL) Group, which houses sub-labs such as the NIRDSLab and the LAMP-SYS Lab. These labs represented the department at Reign in Science 2025, showcasing cutting-edge research and interactive demonstrations. Their exhibits highlighted how computer science bridges technology and creativity — from eye tracking and emotion sensing to generative AI — reflecting ODU’s ongoing leadership in innovation and digital research. 

Eye Tracking and Emotion Sensing

The NIRDSLab, led by Dr. Sampath Jayarathna from the Department of Computer Science, brought technology to life through an engaging demonstration of eye tracking and emotion sensing systems. Participants experienced how computers can interpret attention and emotion by observing subtle eye movements and pupil changes. From playing interactive games using only their eyes to having their pupil images captured and visualized by students, children and parents alike discovered the fascinating intersection of artificial intelligence and human perception. The demo highlighted how machine learning helps decode human behavior — showcasing ODU’s innovative research in computing, cognition, and emotion-aware technologies. 




Generative AI in Action

The LAMP-SYS Lab, directed by Dr. Jian Wu in ODU’s Department of Computer Science,  demoed Generative AI for K–12 students. Demonstrations led by graduate students introduced young learners to how artificial intelligence creates text and images, blending creativity with computing. Participants explored how machines can generate stories, visuals, and knowledge from data — an inspiring glimpse into the world of Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, and Scholarly Big Data research. 



Journey Through the Stars

Inside ODU’s Michael and Kimthanh LĂȘ Planetarium, Planetarium Director Justin Mason guided visitors through a series of interactive 20-minute planetarium shows. Guests had the chance to take a journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere and explore the cosmos. With only 116 seats per session, these shows filled quickly, reminding everyone how universal the fascination with the stars truly is.


The Reign in Science 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together students, families, and researchers to celebrate curiosity and innovation. The excitement in the halls and labs reflected ODU’s growing commitment to making science engaging and accessible to all. As we look ahead, events like this remind us that the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to classrooms — it begins with moments of wonder like these. Whether you’re a student, educator, or simply curious about the world, take the next step: explore, ask questions, and be part of the discovery. Science at ODU is not just happening — it’s growing, and you’re invited to join the journey. 
 
About the Author:
Lawrence Obiuwevwi is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Computer Science, a graduate research assistant with The Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS), and a proud student member The Web Science and Digital Libraries (WS-DL) Research Group, and NirdsLab at Old Dominion University.


Lawrence Obiuwevwi
Graduate Research Assistant
Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529
Email: lobiu001@odu.edu
Web : lawobiu.com
 

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