Through a new partnership with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, several classes will use zSpace technology to contribute to Danforth’s research. The technology offers an augmented and virtual reality (AVR) experience that will allow students to create their own plant-related project using a variety of 3D models, some provided by Danforth.
“We are working with Danforth Plant Center to help our students learn real life applications in research, and how science investigation affects all of our lives,” says Steve Burgess, Miriam Academy science teacher. “I believe our partnership with Danforth Plant Center will be a very valuable resource for our students at Miriam Academy.”
This partnership came about when Burgess contacted the science education department at Danforth. He connected with Sandra Arango-Caro, PhD, Danforth’s education researcher. She invited Burgess and fellow Miriam Academy science teacher Gary Schoen to a professional development session on Saturday, October 17, to learn more about the program.
Now, they get to implement it in their rooms. Biology and Science Discovery students will complete projects using zSpace, and report their findings back Danforth researchers. Burgess and Schoen are also working with Academy teacher Greg Kellerman to determine how he can incorporate zSpace into his multi-media class. Participating students will take a tour of the Danforth Center and see the research labs.
The AVR experience aligns with Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core and state standards.
Burgess says the partnership with Danforth has been very positive so far, and he is confident they will continue collaborating with the center beyond this project.
