ATLAS Institute at CU Boulder

ATLAS Institute at CU Boulder ATLAS is an interdisciplinary institute for radical creativity and invention at CU Boulder.

09/15/2026

ATLAS director Mark Gross taught a class this spring called Design a Science Exhibit. The course produced six hands-on astronomy exhibits, each translating a fairly abstract scientific concept into something visitors could physically interact with, hear or manipulate—from lunar science to black holes to the aurora borealis. The class was taught in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium, where the projects were showcased.

Learn more about ATLAS at colorado.edu/atlas

09/09/2026

It’s always satisfying to tick things off your to-do list. But Nudge makes it fun.

Nudge is a digital device and docking station that empowers users with ADHD or attention regulation challenges to start tasks and get stuff done. Use the hand-built computer to input an intention and tasks for the day, then send it all over to a custom handheld tracker that lets you check tasks off wherever you are. Nudge is a CTD capstone project by Vanica Chhay, built with support from fellow students Kaj Weterrings, Elizabeth Mann and Rhys Williams.

Learn more about ATLAS and CTD at colorado.edu/atlas

ATLAS staffer Josh Hughes is not only a curriculum management maven, he’s also an accomplished artist. His intricate qui...
08/19/2026

ATLAS staffer Josh Hughes is not only a curriculum management maven, he’s also an accomplished artist. His intricate quilt-inspired works incorporate thousands of pieces of folded paper to recontextualize memory, landscape and systems of extraction.

You can view 3 of his pieces as part of the Dairy Arts Center's Off the Page exhibition in Boulder, on view through October [free, no tickets required]. And join an artist talk on 9/2 at 5pm [tickets required].

07/29/2026

Forget Area 51 - check out Locker 34. A Creative Technology & Design student made this spacey diorama some time ago. And it still lives on… [Know who made it? Tag ‘em!]

07/13/2026

If you’ve ever wondered how gravity changes as you get closer to a black hole, Gravity Gradient has answers. The interactive display was built this spring by Autumn Bement, Isaiah Millington, Rui Wen for the Design a Science Exhibit course, co-taught by ATLAS director Mark Gross.

Video edited by CTD student .

07/06/2026

Colorado weather changes quickly, and so does the Sopris Board! Named after the mountain top in Pitkin County, Colorado, the board was created by Creative Technology & Design students Aidan Youell and Ellyse Jensen, who showcased it at the 2026 ATLAS EXPO.

Video edited by CTD student

07/03/2026

Audio engineering, physical fabrication, fine art, game production, product development, graphic design, robotics, neuroscience, interactive installations... whatever you're interested in, Creative Technology and Design gives you the opportunity to explore your passions—and discover new possibilities.

06/29/2026

ATLAS EXPO 2026 project spotlight: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mass Grave

Ever wonder how much of your life you've spent staring at your phone?
CTD student Maggie Kempen invited visitors to confront that question through an interactive installation originally exhibited in the B2’s Black Box Theater.

Kempen's project puts your social media habits front and center, encouraging reflection, laughter and maybe a trip down the rabbit hole.

Stay tuned for more EXPO spotlights. To learn more about the ATLAS Institute, visit 🔗 colorado.edu/atlas

Video edited by Juniper Dev.

06/22/2026

ATLAS EXPO 2026 project spotlight: Sunnyside Scrambler

Get the lore of the Sunnyside Scrambler from members of the CU Boulder Theme Park Engineering and Design Club—including the tale of an evil chicken hell bent on humanity’s destruction.

Stay tuned for more EXPO spotlights. To learn more about the ATLAS Institute, visit 🔗 colorado.edu/atlas

Video editing by Juniper Dev.

06/15/2026

Design A Science Exhibit spotlight: Aurora a la Carte

Did you know you can build your own aurora borealis from scratch? Creative Technology & Design students Elizabeth Saunders, Kira Warren, Sylvia Robles, Ayesha Rawal and Julia McKeag created Aurora a la Carte to allow users to adjust altitude, oxygen, latitude and other factors to produce a custom Northern Lights display.

This project was created for ATLS 4519/5519: Design a Science Exhibit, and showcased at Fiske Planetarium.

Stay tuned for more project spotlights. To learn more about the ATLAS Institute:

🔗colorado.edu/atlas

Video editing by Juniper Dev.

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