STEM Without Borders: syGlass and NCSSS Connect U.S. and China Through Innovation
In June 2025, syGlass cofounder and CEO Michael Morehead and Chief Business Officer Jason Osborne journeyed to China as part of a prestigious U.S. STEM delegation, leading efforts to forge bold new frontiers in global education and scientific collaboration. Representing the cutting edge of immersive technology, syGlass leadership engaged directly with Chinese educational leaders to explore how virtual reality can transform STEM teaching and research on a global scale.
Third grade students from Tiachang Guanchao Primary School give a heartfelt performance for the visiting U.S. Delegation. Showcasing elements of China’s rich musical heritage, the students play traditional instruments including the Liuqin, Ruan, Pipa, and Guzheng, blending cultural pride with youthful talent in a memorable and moving presentation.
This high-level exchange was made possible through a partnership between the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). The initiative reflects a growing commitment by both nations to deepen cross-cultural understanding and innovation in K-12 and post-secondary education.
As a board member of NCSSS, Osborne joined fellow board members and distinguished STEM school leaders for a multi-city diplomatic and educational tour across Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. The U.S. delegation included:
Left to right, Jany Chen, CEAIE, Shelly Seagraves and Lynette Clark, Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology, Vikki Wismer, Virginia Governor’s School for Science & Technology, Kenan Sener, Fulton Science Academy, Jason Osborne, syGlass, Mary Patterson and Sarah Haywood, Virginia Governor’s School for Science & Technology, and ZHOU Jieru, CEAIE (Michael Morehead not pictured)
Together, these STEM education leaders showcased American innovation, explored mutual challenges and opportunities, and helped lay the foundation for future joint ventures in science, technology, and immersive learning.
AI, Education, and a Global Stage for Innovation
syGlass CEO Michael Morehead speaks onstage at the China-U.S. STEM and AI Seminar.
At the heavily attended China-U.S. STEM and AI Seminar, syGlass CEO Michael Morehead took center stage to deliver a presentation on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in U.S. education. His insights sparked dynamic conversations around how immersive technologies and AI are reshaping the classroom, and how international partnerships can accelerate that momentum.
NCSSS board member Kenan Sener introduces the U.S. delegation at the U.S.-China STEM and AI seminar.
Opening the seminar, NCSSS board member Kenan Sener introduced the U.S. delegation, emphasizing the power of shared innovation and the critical importance of cross-border collaboration in STEM education and research. The event underscored a shared vision: that education is no longer confined by national borders, it is a global endeavor, enriched by the exchange of ideas, talent, and technology.
The seminar drew national attention, with Michael Morehead, Jason Osborne, and Vikki Wismer making headlines on China Blue News for their leadership and vision at the conference.
A China Blue News story featuring brief interview clips from Michael Morehead, Jason Osborne, and Vikki Wismer.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration and the Future of VR-Powered Science
Throughout the delegation’s journey across China, one theme became increasingly clear: there is a surging interest among Chinese institutions in building formal partnerships with U.S. STEM schools, and in harnessing the power of syGlass virtual reality to bridge research, education, and student collaboration.
From top-tier universities to forward-thinking K-12 schools, Chinese educators and administrators saw syGlass’ multiplayer capabilities and big data visualization tools as game-changers. These features enable students and researchers, regardless of geography, to collaboratively explore complex biomedical, environmental, and scientific data in real time.
A syGlass 3D rendering of a light sheet image of an eye, courtesy of Marie Darche.
Imagine students in Williamsburg, Virginia and Shenzhen, China co-investigating a 3D microscopy dataset of neural tissue. Or research teams in Hangzhou, China and Midland, Texas jointly analyzing the spread of cancer in volumetric scans, all within the same immersive environment. These aren’t distant possibilities, they are near-future realities, powered by syGlass.
The conversations sparked during this delegation laid the foundation for global classroom connectivity, joint STEM research initiatives, and exchange programs that will prepare the next generation of learners to tackle planetary-scale challenges, together.
Institutions Visited
The delegation visited a wide range of educational institutions, from UNESCO centers to leading universities and K-12 STEM schools:
Left to Right, Program Officer, Zhou Jieru and Deputy Secretary General, Bo Fu, CEAIE
This international exchange marks a significant step forward in connecting education systems through shared innovation. The synergy between syGlass’ immersive visualization tools and the collaborative ambitions of both nations opens new doors in global education, participatory science aka citizen science, and real-world research experiences for students.
As we continue to deepen these relationships, syGlass remains committed to building bridges between classrooms and labs around the world, one VR headset at a time.
