J-STEM students dabble in zSpace virtual reality

Learning experience is being used in hundreds of school districts

CONVERSE, Texas – The zSpace virtual reality classroom is a new and interactive experience that aims to change how children learn — and on Monday, it made a stop at the J-STEM Academy at Judson Middle School.

The zSpace learning experience allows students to handle fragile and even microscopic objects in their hands, in a three-dimensional view.

If they make a mistake, they can start over easily.

"We have evolved into a different era … textbooks were so important for a long time, and now, we're getting to the point where we've realized this hands-on application is even more important than what the textbook can show us,” said Deborah Rice, a K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- or STEM -- specialist.

zSpace is being used in hundreds of school districts, medical schools and universities across the country.

“I think this is kind of fun, because like, I can see all the objects like it’s actual things,” seventh-grader Temi Yemi said.