RUTHERFORD – Union School has opened a zSpace lab containing a 3-D system to teach math and science and more to middle-schoolers.
Wearing special 3-D glasses and with electronic pens in hands, Board of Education members tried out the lab on Monday.
Union School librarian Sherrianne Herninko, computer integration specialist Louise Hetzel and Principal Kurt Schweitzer led the virtual tour of the new zSpace in the school's library. A zSpace is an interactive, virtual reality learning experience that combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education and focuses on creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills, Schweitzer said.
The lab was opened at Union School in October after two years of discussion, Schweitzer said. The district paid $63,000 for the zSpace for 11 student units, one teacher computer unit, a larger screen for display purposes and licenses. The district received a $10,000 grant from the Rutherford Education Foundation and the Casadonte Family to assist in purchasing the equipment.
The special computers have sensors on each side of the monitor that interact with special glasses equipped with four sensors that render the images in 3-D. A stylus is used to manipulate items on the screen.
"The kids are mesmerized by it. There are only 480 zSpaces in schools in the United States," Schweitzer said. "It was originally created by the United States Department of Defense and then they sold it to schools."
Thousands of 3-D models are stored in the zSpace programming, and students have the ability to dissect and manipulate them when exploring the programs.
"The [lab] allows students to work together to solve problems while helping students grasp complex concepts and build collaborative skills," Schweitzer said.
Science teacher Chris Viola's students are delving into Newton's Park, which allows students to study Newton's laws and explore physics to create scenes of their own.
"The students have a playground that they can put equipment in to test their theories," Viola said. "It's all in 3-D and they get a much more interactive experience than with a tablet or computer. The students have a lot of fun."
Herninko said the Newton's Park feature makes it easy to teach the effects of gravity and friction. Another program, Franklin's Lab, allows students to explore how circuits are built and to experiment with electricity boards.
"They then transfer those skills to the real world as they design their own electricity boards in a STEM lab," Schweitzer said. "Students then return to zSpace to advance their design further, using techniques and materials that would be cost-prohibitive and even dangerous if used in real life."
Leopoly 3-D allows students to create their own 3-D models using different tools. The models are then printed out on the school's 3-D printer. The robotics class, run by Bill Helphingstine, uses Leopoly 3-D and is able to create parts needed for its robots at a fraction of what it would cost to purchase them, Herninko said.
Cyber Science 3-D allows students to study natural anatomy and mechanical structures, dissecting the models to get a closer look. It also allows students to see the process and phases of mitosis and meiosis up close. Geogebra combines geometry and algebra in one program. Curie's Elements is an interactive periodic table and has a variety of activities related to the elements and atom building.
Superintendent Jack Hurley commended staff members for the effort they have put into learning the new programming.
"They didn't see these machines until October," Hurley said. "Our teachers have really immersed themselves in training."
Hurley pointed out that many of the new electives such as architecture, coding and desktop publishing now being offered at the middle school would not have been possible without the zSpace.
Schweitzer said the zSpace paves the way for college and career readiness for the students.
"In addition, it offers educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and empowers students’ intrinsic motivation for learning," Schweitzer said. "The laboratory will allow for multiple ways of assessing student understanding, enhancing relationships between teachers and students and [it] enables teachers to become facilitators of learning."