Bridging Education and Innovation: Midland ISD’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy Opens Doors with a Revolutionary STEM Lab

In a groundbreaking initiative that merges education and innovation, Diamondback Energy, in collaboration with syGlass, has transformed the learning experience for students at Midland ISD’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA). The newly unveiled STEM lab offers immersive technology-driven courses in neuroscience and anatomy & physiology, marking a significant leap toward empowering the next generation of scientists and medical professionals.

Immersive Learning Through Virtual Reality

The state-of-the-art lab provides hands-on experiences powered by syGlass virtual reality (VR) technology. With tools that allow students to interact with real 3D scientific data such as MRI and CT scans of the heart, brain, and skeletal system, the lab turns abstract concepts into tangible, dynamic explorations.

"Our students go into immersive technology to explore things such as a heart, a brain and a skull," explained Ashley Colquitt, Corporate Affairs Representative with Diamondback Energy. "They can blow it up the size of a classroom to explore these various organs."

Students at Midland ISD's Young Women's Leadership Academy explore immersive virtual reality curriculum.

Real-World Connections

What sets the YWLA STEM lab apart is its connection to the broader scientific community. Through partnerships with esteemed institutions such as Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, and the University of South Florida, students can interact with leading researchers and contribute to real-world science questions.

YWLA Principal Laura Doughty emphasized the significance of this hands-on, tech-driven approach:

“You can't just open up a book or watch a video to do these types of things. The students can put on the VR headsets and pull things apart, like learning about the skeletal system.”

For junior Arisayo Navarrete, the STEM lab has been instrumental in shaping her career aspirations:

“We can scan and look at MRIs, bones, and inside the brain, and get a different point of view beyond just viewing it in class. We get to experiment and experience it first-hand.”

Empowering Future Leaders

YWLA’s STEM focus also addresses a critical challenge: women’s underrepresentation in STEM fields. By offering cutting-edge tools and direct access to expert guidance, the program equips young women to break barriers and achieve their dreams.

"It feels great to give our girls one more piece of the pie," Principal Doughty remarked. "They’re helping to remove some of the barriers they can have."

Diamondback Energy’s commitment to education as a pillar of its mission underscores the transformative potential of initiatives like this. “When we look at how we are going to impact education, we ask how we are preparing our future leaders,” Colquitt said. “We see this as one of the best solutions to help support that effort.”

Ashley Colquitt, Corporate Affairs Representative with Diamondback Energy, speaks with the press about the Diamondback Energy STEM Lab, powered by syGlass.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The YWLA STEM lab is more than just a space for learning—it’s a springboard for students to explore uncharted territories and envision a future in science, medicine, and technology. Whether it’s through cutting-edge VR tools or real-world collaborations, this initiative is paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.