On Friday, Nov. 20, the three-dimensional software company zSpace held an interactive presentation for science, math, and technology teachers at ERHS.

The software, fully equipped with 3-D glasses and a stylus, has the potential to be used in all science and engineering classes, for students of all grade levels.

Science and Technology Program Coordinator Ms. Jane Hemelt, who organized the event, said that she is working with Principal Mr. Reginald McNeill to make the technology a permanent part of Roosevelt HS. “Right now, we’re looking at it to find out how people would use it and the feasibility of it,” said Ms. Hemelt.

zSpace is a Silicon-Valley-based company that looks to create an educational virtual reality for schools. The technology was originally developed for the Department of Defense, but is now being integrated into classrooms around the United States.

“The students can use 3-D models to study whatever they’re working on,” explained zSpace Sales Director Mr. Lucchese, who led the presentation. The software can be used to model a variety of both middle school and high school level problems, such as the dissection of animals or batteries for physics classes.  Mr. Lucchese, for example, demonstrated the dissection of a tarantula, a starfish, and the female human anatomy.

Mr. Lucchese began working with zSpace in July 2014, and recalled his first experience with the software. “I went to a presentation a while ago. It’s nice… to come here today to a bunch of different teachers who can come here and try it,” Mr. Lucchese said.

Teachers expressed excitement about the software’s arrival, especially Genetics, AP Biology, and RP Forestry teacher Ms. Peggy Brosnan. “It looks like it could be really good for engineering. I would definitely use it,” Ms. Brosnan said of the new technology.

Science teacher Ms. Kathryn Komar agreed. “I would definitely want to get one of these,” she said.

“It is the top technology out there. I think it’s going to get kids more excited about aspects of science,” said Ms. Hemelt.