NoRILLA - Mixed-Reality Learning (AI)

Thank you TEDx for helping share our story! @TEDx @TEDxPitt ted.com/talks/nesra_ya…

We’re honored and excited to be named one of eight finalists in this year’s global Tools Competition, in the Transform category of the Accelerating K–12 Learning track—alongside an inspiring group of innovators working to improve learning outcomes at scale. 🚀

Rowan Elementary School recently concluded its own version of the 2026 Winter Olympics — CIRC style! Students competed in teams to sharpen STEM skills such as coding and problem-solving during this creative, hands-on event. Creativity, Innovation and Research Center (CIRC) teachers Mrs. Kelsey Stauffer and Ms. Carrie Dillon put their own spin on six popular Olympic events: Alpine Skiing, Curling, Speed Skiing, Slope Style, Bobsledding and Ice Hockey. Student STEM athletes used coding to create Alpine and Speed Skiing runs with Indi and Finch robots while racing against the clock for speed and navigation accuracy. Curling challenged teams to program Ozobots in precise coding patterns to hit a target. In Slope Style, Sphero robots took on jumps and ramps in a free-flowing makerspace course. Teams also used makerspace materials to design and build their own bobsleds, putting them to the test in an energetic race across the NoRilla table. To wrap up the competition, students took center stage on the Active Floor for a unique motion-activated Ice Hockey experience. Rowan’s student Olympians had a fantastic time building STEM skills, collaborating with teammates and experiencing the excitement of learning through friendly competition! #SVProud

We were honored to give a talk at the National Academies of Sciences' "Collaborative for Advancing Science Teaching and Learning in K–12" about how AI can be thoughtfully integrated to strengthen teaching, spark curiosity, and elevate science learning for all students! 🚀🔬

It was so great to present with @annavblake and @MOndecko on "Using AI to Improve Inquiry-based STEAM Learning in the Classroom" at @TRETC2026! Thankful for a great partnership with @EFSDWarriors!

TRETC 2026 gave me a safe and thrilling space to learn about maker projects from Colleen to listening to students from South Fayette talk about science. I enjoyed sharing what my students have learned with @NorillaLearning and meeting the therapy dogs. Thank you TRETC always!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy year! May 2026 bring lots of joy, peace, and kindness to all 🎄🎅✨

Pre-K had an exciting time using the Norilla Learning machine in technology class and did a fantastic job building their towers!

PreK got to experience the @NorillaLearning machine in technology class. They did a great job creating their towers. @NesraYannier

Kindergarteners at Ehrman Crest Elementary School are exploring engineering and design using the NoRILLA table, an innovative learning tool that bridges the physical and virtual worlds to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Our elementary engineers recently learned structural concepts like height and stability by building towers and testing them on the table’s shaking platform. After reading “The Three Little Pigs,” students created their own houses and put them through an “earthquake” stimulated by the NoRILLA table to see which structures could withstand the big bad wolf’s huff and puff! They observed how their houses responded, analyzed why some designs were stronger than others and discussed improvements – building critical thinking and problem-solving skills along the way. With the assistance of a friendly virtual gorilla, NoRILLA provides engaging challenges that allow students to predict, observe and explain, just like real scientists. “The NoRILLA table will continue to support hands-on STEAM learning, including lessons on balance, force, motion and engineering design,” said Ms. Danielle Fagan, Ehrman Crest CIRC teacher. “These activities foster curiosity, collaboration and creativity, helping students develop a strong foundation in science and math through play-based learning.” Seneca Valley elementary schools received the NoRILLA table as part of a district initiative to bring cutting-edge STEM resources into classrooms. #SVProud

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We’re thankful for our incredible partner educators, whose dedication makes a difference every day and helps bring the joy of science to kids! 🧡🍁🦃

Support from the National Science Foundation allows CMU researchers to work at the forefront of discovery and innovation. Across a broad range of disciplines, our research makes an impact in labs and in classrooms. Explore @NSF-funded projects at CMU: cmu.edu/research-offic…

With support from the @NSF, a team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers in @cmuhcii have created a series of interactive, hands-on exhibits and learning stations for museums and schools to engage more students in science. #Research #Education cmu.edu/research-offic…

We’ve expanded our reach to Portugal! Our exhibit launched at the Pavilion of Knowledge, Ciência Viva as part of the World Tsunami Awareness Day! We’re thrilled that more children and families across Europe will now benefit from our technology. 🌎👬👫@cviva

Kindergarten working on the @NorillaLearning machine in technology class. The kids were excited to see if their structure could survive an earthquake. @NesraYannier

"Children are spirits with untapped potentials to be unfolded."

We’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with Clairton City School District! We love seeing the students so engaged, and STEM teacher Mr. Swauger is bringing amazing energy to the NoRILLA lessons — using creative body gestures to make science come alive!🐵 🚀

Excited and grateful to be part of @CarnegieMellon's transformative ecosystem — thank you The Link Magazine for the highlight! magazine.cs.cmu.edu/spirit-of-entr…

Can’t wait to see our students engage with @NorillaLearning this year!!! @remakelearning

We're excited to start working with such great teachers at Hempfield Area School District! @hasd_stw @hasd_district @Jed_Kalp

Thank you @NesraYannier for the @NorillaLearning training today. Cannot wait to use this in my classroom. @hasd_stw @hasd_district