Exploring the virtual space of STEM

New machines help students enjoy learning science in three dimenions

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Beginning this past September, the Franklin Square Elementary School District installed eight Zspace machines, in each of the three schools, to enhance STEM learning. STEM is an acronym for, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The new devices are three-dimensional screens equipped with glasses and a stylus like pointer that allows students to interact with lessons in a new way. This technology lets students dissect organisms, look through human tissue, and explore different planets, without needing any physical substances. The impact of having access to this type of learning is critical to the STEM curriculum, according to Maura Gallagher, Franklin Square School District assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

“It really gives them an opportunity to interact in a more comprehensive way with something that they normally wouldn’t get to do,” said Gallagher. “Our experience with the kids this year has been very positive, the kids really seem to be drawn it.”

The machines are available to students in grades 3 through 6 during STEM lab. Each machine is equipped with three glasses. Two students watch the 3-D action, as the “driver” uses the stylus to interact with the screen.

A major advantage of having these devices for the kids is that dissecting animals isn’t done in the elementary school, due to the sharp instruments, as well as the chemicals used to stores the specimens. By having a machine that displays the same internal characteristics of a frog, for example, the students are able to learn more about biology without having to be exposed to potentially harmful tools.

“They can pull apart different pieces of the heart and actually see the ventricles,” said Gallagher. “They can experience it in a very up close and personal way instead of just seeing pictures of it in a book.”

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