California Community Colleges Partner With Virtual Immersive Learning Experience To Expand Access to STEM Education

Dreamscape Learn pilot launches this Fall across California as part of the Chancellor's Office Vision 2030 plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office announced a new pilot in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, aimed at increasing access to high-quality biology lab education for online learners. Launching this Fall, 16 colleges across California will integrate Dreamscape Learn's immersive biology curriculum into their online courses, marking a significant step towards removing barriers for California's online learners across the state.

"California's community colleges serve the most diverse and dynamic student population in the country, and every one of those students deserves access to engaging, high-quality science education, regardless of where they live or how they learn," said Sonya Christian, chancellor of the California Community Colleges. "With Dreamscape Learn, we're augmenting how online students experience their education, with the goal of expanding access and success in science education."

This pilot shows the continued growth of Dreamscape Learn's collaborations in the state. In addition to this new online initiative, several California colleges including Glendale Community College, Kern Community College District, Long Beach City College, and Merced College have individually launched partnerships and begun building in-person immersive lab capacity. Research from early adopting schools found strong equitable outcomes in biology. Students from various backgrounds performed better in courses that integrated this new approach to teaching and learning —with participants nearly 2 times more likely to achieve an A grade.

"We're honored to partner in California, where a commitment to access and innovation makes it the ideal place to expand immersive learning," said Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn. "With the forward-thinking leadership behind this pilot, we can change what learning means for thousands of online and hybrid students across the state. For these learners, hands-on experiences are essential, giving them more than textbooks and problem sets, motivating them to persist and succeed."

This new statewide initiative is part of the Chancellor's Office broader Vision 2030 strategy, a bold roadmap to transform learning across California's 116 community colleges. The pilot is not only a partnership between the Chancellor's Office and Dreamscape, but also includes the California Virtual Campus and the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity. It came together thanks to the early support and collaboration from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) and the Chancellor's Office. The effort will roll out at:

• Barstow Community College
• Citrus College
• Coalinga College
• Cuyamaca Community College
• El Camino College
• Feather River College
• Foothill College
• Fresno City College
• Lake Tahoe Community College
• Lemoore College
• Los Angeles Mission College
• Merced College
• Merritt College
• Moorpark College
• Mt. San Jacinto College
• San Mateo Community College

"As a college that is proud to call the Central Valley our home, access is a primary concern for our students - partnerships like these help change that," said Dr. Chris Vitelli, President of Merced College. "This technology gives our students access to immersive learning that builds real confidence and opens doors to degrees and careers they once thought out of reach."

"In a rapidly changing and increasingly tech-driven world, we're always looking for opportunities to connect our students with tools that work, and work for all students," added Dr. Ryan Cornner, Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College. "This is the kind of innovation that allows us to close gaps in STEM and equip our learners with the necessary tools and skills to succeed in the future."

Since launching in 2022 in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), Dreamscape Learn's immersive 'Biology in the Alien Zoo' course has been used in introductory biology classes reaching more than 28,000 ASU students. This success has led ASU to fully transition its introductory biology labs to the Dreamscape Learn platform.

About Dreamscape Learn
Dreamscape Learn is a collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University, merging the most advanced pedagogy with the entertainment industry's best emotional storytelling. Dreamscape Learn redefines how we teach and learn in the 21st century, while aiming to eliminate student learning gaps. Learn more at DreamscapeLearn.com

About California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office:

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state's engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to serve our students, our communities, and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

SOURCE Dreamscape Learn