Building Virtual Worlds with Real-World Impact

The CNM Ingenuity Metaverse Architect bootcamp started with a simple goal: teach students how to create digital twins – virtual replicas of physical spaces – using AI and smart automation.

“The idea started after talking to some of my buddies from Steel Bender, a local Albuquerque brewery,” says Frank Gonzales, the bootcamp’s developer and instructor. “This kind of virtual environment was something they said they needed but they weren’t sure how to execute.”

Shortly after, CNM Ingenuity launched the Metaverse Architect bootcamp in September 2025 with Frank at the helm and a few ambitious students.

“We started with a goal of meeting that business need, but what ended up happening was completely serendipitous,” Frank said.

Frank’s son, who works as a district manager for Spirit Halloween, approached his dad with an idea.

“Spirit Halloween has a long-standing tradition of bringing costumes and treats to the Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, letting kids pick their favorite costume,” Frank explains. “My son suggested we create a digital twin of an actual store to give children who couldn’t visit in person the full Spirit experience — jump-scare animatronics and all.”

Frank and his students were immediately on board. About a week before Halloween, the group headed to a Spirit Halloween location near Coronado Center and, using Matterport technology — the same system used for real estate virtual walkthroughs — captured every inch of the store.

“We created an entire virtual environment,” he says. “By simply interacting in the metaverse, the children could walk through every aisle, explore the costumes, and even engage with the animatronics.”

Frank was especially touched by the experience of a young boy who was unable to walk.

“Our digital twin technology not only allowed this boy to walk through the store, but he got to run,” Frank said. “He had never been able to run before, and now there he was, running. Watching him truly brought tears to my eyes.”

Looking ahead, another bootcamp is already on the books, with hopes for many more in the future. While creating digital twins for businesses remains a focus, the experience with Spirit Halloween and the Children’s Hospital has Frank thinking about what else might be possible.

“One of my students works with the Mayor’s Office and got permission for us to film inside the bird enclosure at the ABQ BioPark Zoo,” Frank said. “I’m just so excited to bring these kinds of experiences to kids who can’t always visit these places in person.