Student Employee-Engineering Technology-AR Station Research Assistant

Nature & Purpose of Position This position supports the USDA-funded project *“BugQuest AR.”* We are seeking motivated undergraduate students to assist in developing, deploying, and maintaining Augmented Reality (AR) education stations at visitor centers in Texas and adjacent states.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and setup of AR stations (hardware and software).
• Support installation at visitor centers (coordinate space, electrical, and Wi-Fi requirements).
• Test AR applications on Android tablets (Unity-based).
• Develop and distribute supplemental educational materials (flyers, brochures, posters).
• Document dimensions, station requirements, and user instructions.
• Support faculty and staff in preparing outreach kits and training visitor center staff.
• Maintain records of site visits, troubleshooting, and updates.

Other Requirements for the Position

• Interest in AR/VR, Unity, mobile app development, or interactive media.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable with light travel for installations (mileage reimbursed if applicable).

Learning Outcomes

Students will gain practical experience in:

• Augmented Reality app deployment and testing.
• Digital content design for public education.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration between technology, agriculture, and outreach.
• Professional project management and reporting.

Student researchers will gain hands-on experience with AR development, digital fabrication, and outreach activities while contributing to a high-visibility federal project that connects technology, sustainability, and public education.