The Castleton Innovation Lab 

The Innovation Lab at Vermont State University Castleton provides the university community with hands-on training and access to state-of-the-art 3D technology for projects, research, experimentation, and more.   

Located in Leavenworth Hall Room 201, the Innovation Lab is outfitted with Artec 3D scanners, a range of Ultimaker FDM  Formlabs SLA 3D printers, a fleet of Meta Quest virtual reality headsets, a Glowforge laser cutter, ground penetrating radar, aerial and underwater drones, high-end computers, and much more.  The Innovation Lab offers regular open hours each semester when community members are free to stop by to check out equipment or work on projects. 

Capturing the Past in 3D 

Anthropology, Archaeology, and Geography major Owen Edgcomb talks about how he is using the Innovation Lab to document artifacts from the Vermont marble industry. 

Diverse Applications of 3D 

Students use the Innovation Lab to explore, experiment, and engage with academic subjects while developing technical skills with 3D that are in high demand in the job market. The applications of 3D are diverse, including traditional engineering options, as well as a host of applications in fields as diverse as archaeology, nursing, sports management, criminal justice, and fine arts. 

“The uses of 3D – whether you’re talking about 3D imaging, 3D printing, 3D modeling, or virtual and augmented reality – are expanding at an incredible rate as innovators find new and interesting ways to harness 3D technologies. The goal of the Innovation Lab is to make sure VTSU students are prepared to embrace these technologies and compete for the jobs of the future.” 

– Matthew Moriarty, Assistant Professor of Archaeology and Director of the Castleton Innovation Lab

Student Story 

Devyn Cabral, a double major in Anthropology, Archaeology, and Geography and Art History, is using the Innovation Lab’s 3D scanners to digitally reunify collections of Native American artifacts separated in the past. Devyn initially acquired skills in 3D imaging through courses in the AAG program,  applied them in paid internships through the Innovation Lab, and is now working with support from an external grant they acquired on their own for this project. 

Founding Partners

The Innovation Lab was founded as a partnership between Upward Bound, the Pathway to Graduation Project, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Anthropology, Archaeology, and Geography Program, with generous assistance from the Castleton Student Government Association and IT Services.  The lab has also received substantial outside support from the USDA Community Facilities Program, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Vermont State Legislature, and many others. The lab now forms part of Vermont State University’s new 3D Technology Program

Man in a blue plaid shirt smiles at the camera while at a dig site.

Assistant Professor of Archaeology

  • Department

    • Social Sciences
  • Primary Office Location

    Castleton Campus

    • Castleton Innovation Lab