Innovative – adjective, in·no·va·tive: characterized by, tending to, or introducing innovations; creative, imaginative, inspired, inventive, original.
The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM programs in our schools emphasize problem-solving, innovation, and finding solutions to real-world challenges. Award-winning Tomball Independent School District offers extracurricular STEM camps, robotics programs, and a P-TECH program (Pathways in Technology Early College High School program). TISD is committed to the concept of academic skills-building that prepares students for a world of rapidly evolving technology.
Tomball Independent School District is recognized as a leading district in the State of Texas. TISD’s commitment to promoting STEM learning using innovative educational concepts is one of the reasons Tomball schools are highly rated. U.S. News & World Report cites TISD’s 97% graduation rate. The above-average community and business support of the Tomball Education Foundation is another reason why our kids are receiving some of the best learning opportunities in the country.
TEF’s programs help good students become better and guarantee a level playing field for financially, emotionally, and physically challenged students in Northwest Harris County. One of its most successful campaigns is Innovative Learning Grants, a program in which TISD teachers and other staff request funding for creative ideas that promote enhanced education. The application process is not easy, but the rewards are well worth it, according to TISD educators.
TEF grants must fund activities or materials that are part of “an innovative approach to learning.” Applications are reviewed by school principals, TEF program committee members, TISD content and program directors, the Grant Application Committee, Tomball ISD assistant superintendents, and TEF volunteers. The TEF Grant Committee then makes recommendations for grant approvals. The process culminates in an exciting event, the eTrain, a celebration in which a TEF team of volunteers visits various schools and awards prize-winning grants.
Tomball Memorial High School students are using zSpace to explore 3D models of human anatomy. They’re manipulating structures like muscles, bones, and organs using a stylus and interactive headset. They are also gaining a deeper understanding of spatial relationships between anatomical systems and learning to identify key structures in realistic, layered views. This kind of immersive exploration supports skills in observation, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning.
Dr. Nora Pacha is an anatomy & physiology educator with Tomball Memorial High School, and every year, she brings the spirit of innovation to her students. Pacha teamed with TMHS teacher Jessica Kana on the 2025 grant award program, Bridging Science Gaps with Virtual Lab, which will integrate virtual laboratories into classrooms for an immersive experience in a risk-free environment.
Her $4,998 grant, Anatomy Unlocked: Immersive Learning with zSpace Augmented Reality, will integrate state-of-the-art, augmented reality technology with immersive and interactive 3D simulations, promoting active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration among Tomball Memorial High School students. “The zSpace augmented reality (AR) project will establish our institution as a leader in educational innovation, preparing students for future careers in healthcare and science,” says Dr. Pacha.
“Traditional teaching methods rely heavily on textbooks, 2D images, and static models, which can limit students’ understanding of complex anatomical structures and physiological processes,” says Pacha. “Recent educational research has shown that interactive and immersive learning technologies . . . significantly enhance student engagement and comprehension; zSpace AR is a cutting-edge technology allowing students to explore three-dimensional models of the human body, interact with virtual organs, and simulate physiological processes.”
This learning experience can provide students with:
- Challenges, as students apply what they’ve learned to diagnosing and proposing treatment for their virtual patients
- Fully immersive 3D experience in which students can manipulate anatomical structures and gain a deeper understanding of spatial relationships within the human body
- Increased engagement using motivational gamification offering rewards and achievement levels
- More collaborative learning opportunities as students team to simulate real-world medical/scientific environments
- Personalized learning that is adaptable to each student’s pace
- Real-world problem-solving and case-based learning to improve critical-thinking skills
- Scientific processes that are applied across biological, chemical, and physical disciplines
- Virtual dissection labs, a cost-effective alternative to traditional laboratory dissections that enables repeated practice as needed without resource limitations
Practical Learning for Tomorrow’s Workforce
TMHS students are developing foundational knowledge for careers in healthcare, biotechnology and medical research. They’re also gaining technical fluency with tools similar to those used in telemedicine, surgical planning, radiologic imaging, and augmented reality training programs. Skills like digital literacy, anatomical interpretation, and real-time collaboration are essential in modern medical fields.
The TEF grant application procedure is rigorous enough that Dr. Pacha began TMHS’s zSpace AR virtual reality program application in August 2024 to meet the October 2024 deadline. The eTrain awards were held in February 2025.
“Students have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the zSpace program,” says Dr. Pacha. “They enjoy using the zSpace laptop and program because it allows them to see and interact with the human body in 3D instead of just memorizing diagrams from a textbook.”
FAQs
Two frequently asked questions are:
No. Only schools can buy the zSpace; it is used by the top 100 school districts in the United States, as well as Tomball. It’s also available for elementary and middle schools.
Tomball Education Foundation was founded in 2017. The first grants were awarded in 2018. Since then, more than 126 grants of over $460,000 have been awarded to Tomball ISD educators and personnel.
