University of Colorado Boulder Sesquicentennial: Shine on Norlin
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- Projection mapping – projecting custom animations or video onto buildings, walls, sculptures, or other surfaces so that the surface itself appears animated or transformed.
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- Art installations – designing immersive/interactive environments using projection, custom LED systems, sound design, fabrication, and mixed media.
The Stories Behind Shine on Norlin
Did something in the projection catch your eye? Every topic featured below appears in the Shine on Norlin show. Dive deeper into the stories, research, history and traditions behind the moments projected onto Norlin Library. Explore additional resources below.
Cottonwood Trees
- The Legacy of the Old Main Cottonwood | Alumni Assosciation |University of Colorado Boulder
Read background information and the legacy of the old main cottonwood tree.
- Old Main Cottonwood finds new life through cloning | Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder
A students perspective on cloning the old main cottonwood tree near old main.
- If These Old Trees Could Speak | Alumni Assosciation | University of Colorado Boulder
How the old main cottonwood trees have watched the history of CU Boulder go by.
- Before Macky | Alumni Assosciation | University of Colorado
Campus before the Macky auditorium: A Visual Snapshot in Time.
Bees
- Samuel Ramsey | BioFrontiers Institute | University of Colorado Boulder
Explore Samuel Ramsey’s BioFrontiers Institute research related to insects.
- Samuel Ramsey receives the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award | Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn how Samuel Ramsey’s research in insects, and specifically bees, won him the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award.
- Documentary shares secrets of the bees | Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder
Discover how CU Boulder and specifically, Samuel Ramsey’s were involved in the production “Secret life of bees” by James Cameron which is available to watch on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu.
Sunflowers
- Campus horticulturists make One Seed program their own | University Libraries | University of Colorado Boulder
Explore the evolution of a red sunflower seed that was cultivated in Boulder and how CU Boulder horticulturists continue to improve and modify these flowers.
- Red sunflower seed pick up begins April 16 | University Libraries | University of Colorado Boulder
Tips for planting sunflowers from CU Boulder Horticulturists, and the origins of the red sunflower.
- One Seed grows CU Boulder's history and community impact | CU Boulder Today | University of Colorado
Learn about the initial discovery of the red sunflower in the 1910s and how the seeds were almost thrown out and lost. The One Seed continues to impact the CU Boulder community positively even today.
How about them Apples!
- The Oldest Apples in Boulder | Alumni Assosciation | University of Colorado
On a high mesa overlooking Eldorado Canyon, an elderly apple tree stands alone. Its trunk is weathered, its branches bowed, but it is nevertheless resplendent with white springtime blooms. The tree is a hardy survivor, a witness to more than a century of Boulder history.
- The Boulder Apple Tree Project | Museum of Natural History | University of Colorado Boulder
The Boulder Apple Tree Project is committed to studying the age, health, history, and genetics of Boulder’s apple trees. In the late 1800s, much of the land in the city of Boulder was planted for fruit production.
- Uncovering Boulder's forgotten apple tree legacy | CU Boulder Today | University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder students and researchers are combining old-fashioned historical sleuthing with cutting-edge genetic testing and grafting in the hopes of reviving apple trees.
- An apple a day? It’s the Boulder way | Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder
Newly planted apple orchard on CU Boulder campus is a nexus of university and community partnerships and will be a living classroom for students and educators.
Climate Research
- Students use observation, creative thinking to uncover meaning in scientific data | CIRES
Arts-based education focuses on approaches that enable students to observe, understand, and make meaning from visual information.
- Home | Museum of Natural History | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn more about the Museum of Natural History at University of Colorado Boulder.
- Home | Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn more about the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Departments at University of Colorado Boulder.
- Home | Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn more about Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Community at University of Colorado Boulder.
Space Research
- Home | Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder
Explore the Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder.
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) | Research & Innovation Office | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn more about the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).
- LASP-led NASA’s MAVEN mission commemorates 10 years in Mars’ orbit | Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics | University of Colorado
Ten years later, MAVEN has completed more than 22,000 orbits of Mars, revealing amazing discoveries on its mission to study the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere and determine how its climate evolved from warm and wet to the cold, dry planet that we see today.
- MAVEN findings reveal how Mars' atmosphere was lost to space | CU Boulder Today | University of Colorado Boulder
Solar wind and radiation are responsible for stripping the Martian atmosphere, transforming Mars from a planet that could have supported life billions of years ago into a frigid desert world, according to new results from NASA's MAVEN.
- CU in Space | Alumni Association | University of Colorado Boulder
Since campus researchers began sending experiments and instruments into space in the late 1940s, NASA spacecraft have launched hundreds of CU Boulder instruments as well as 20 CU Boulder scientists, faculty and alumni on 52 space missions.
Quantum Research
- CU Boulder releases quantum workforce roadmap for economy’s next big thing | CU Boulder Today | University of Colorado Boulder
A new workforce roadmap aims to train, prepare and inspire the next generation of quantum workers and the general public in Colorado and the Mountain West.
- Home | National Quantum Nanofab | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn about the new National Quantum Nanofab at University of Colorado Boulder.
Jellyfish Research
- Cyborg Jellyfish at CU Boulder | Alumni Association | University of Colorado Boulder
Xu’s team has created “cyborg” jellies, with tiny microelectronic devices that steer their movements with pacemaker-like pulses. The technology could transform deep-sea exploration by offering an energy-efficient way to gather data in remote waters.
- From cyborg jellyfish to weed labels: 10 research stories you may have missed in 2025 | CU Boulder Today | University of Colorado Boulder
Explore 10 research stories you may have missed in 2025 at CU Boulder.
Fellowships for Environmental Programs
- The SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education and the Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts will offer SPIKE-NEST Graduate Fellowships in 2026 | SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education | University of Colorado Boulder
The Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) has partnered with the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education (SPIKE Center) to support both undergraduate and graduate students to work on collaborative, sustainability-focused projects bridging the arts and sciences.
Macky Auditorium
- Then and Now: Macky Auditorium | Alumni Assosciation | University of Colorado
The auditorium began construction in 1909 and continues to play a large role on campus and holds a significant place in CU Boulder history.
- History of Macky Audtiorium | College of Music | University of Colorado Boulder
Learn about the donation from Andrew J. Macky and the 13 year construction process that led to the construction of Macky Auditorium.
BioFrontiers Institute
- Homepage | BioFrontiers Institute | University of Colorado Boulder
The BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder is an interdisciplinary research center that unites life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering to advance human health and biotechnology.
- News | BioFrontiers Institute | University of Colorado Boulder
Explore the latest new stories at the BioFrontiers Institute.