Bringing science, history and art to life

The amount of time that’s spent setting up and implementing lab work is extensive. This also cuts down on that. So the instructional time is spent more on the actual lab work itself rather than setting up.”

John Murphy, South Side High School principal

Thanks to a grant from the Rockville Centre Education Foundation, South Side High School will be adding a new 3D computer lab to the school next year.

Known as zSpace, the lab will comprise a series of computers that, with the use of special glasses and styluses, interact with three-dimensional models. The Education Foundation will provide $28,000 a year for three years for the hardware and software. It is purchasing 12 units for students and one teacher unit.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Christopher Pellettieri, the Rockville Centre School District’s assistant superintendent for curriculum. “We’re really only limited by our imagination.”

South Side Principal John Murphy explained that there was a “wow factor” to the hardware that was immediately appealing to teachers. And even after it wore off, teachers realized what a powerful tool it could be.

The most obvious application is for science classes. Instead of dissecting frogs, students can work with virtual animals — and get in-depth views of human organs as well.

“The amount of time that’s spent setting up and implementing lab work is extensive,” Murphy said. “This also cuts down on that. So the instructional time is spent more on the actual lab work itself rather than setting up.”

The software also has uses outside science classes. The design software used by the school’s Outdoor Structures class can link with the zSpace, so students will be able to manipulate three-dimensional plans for their projects and show them off to the class and the teacher before moving on to the production phase.

“There’s a thing in IB art called curatorship, where students don’t just learn how to create art, but how to install it and how it should be presented,” Murphy said, referring to one of the school’s International Baccalaureate classes. “And the three-dimensional space allows them to visit a series of museums, both locally and abroad, and play with the installation to see how it would affect the view of the audience and the artwork itself.”

Social studies students can “visit” a reconstruction of the Sistine Chapel, he said, and get the same view Michelangelo had while painting its famous ceiling.

Much like computer labs a few years ago, teachers will present their lesson plans and reserve time on the machines. The devices will be purchased and installed in one of the school’s new wings, which has the electrical necessities built in. They will be ready for students to use in September.

“The possibilities are literally endless,” said Murphy. “And the arc of our development will accelerate exponentially once we get the kids behind it.”