The students at Garden Hills Elementary School knew something big was about to happen when they caught a glimpse of the oversized check with their school’s name on it.
And they were right to be excited, as principal Stacey Perot excitedly accepted the $177,538 donation from The Campos Foundation to install a new STEM lab outfitted by SmartLab.
“This is so exciting because Campos selected us,” Perot said. “As an IB school, we believe in developing our students to be inquisitive and globally minded. One of the things that’s built into the curriculum for SmartLabs will be a lot of activities and things where they’re able to learn about sustainable resources, developing new engineering techniques and learning to code.”
The new Garden Hills STEM SmartLab will be installed over the summer and will bring a variety of tools and resources to the students.
“SmartLabs provide a fresh student-centered approach to STEM and 21st Century skills learning,” SmartLab content and event specialist Bill Laurienti said. “Targeted, yet open-ended, project-based learning engagements allow students to build skills and explore technology while they collaborate to solve interesting problems in state-of-the-art learning environments with equipment and software across eight areas of STEM exploration.”
The eight areas of exploration include: circuitry, manufacturing technology, robotics and control technology, software engineering, environmental technology, scientific data and analysis, and communication and media arts. The Garden Hills Smart Lab will also include video recording, laser engraving and CNC milling equipment.
Garden Hills Elementary School is the third traditional APS school to receive a SmartLab. Virginia-Highland Elementary School recently celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony, and there is also a SmartLab at Scott Elementary School.
“Part of how we give back to the community is through The Campos Foundation, and we’re excited to have selected Garden Hills Elementary School as our new recipient for a new STEM lab,” Campos EPC regional director Derek DeLeon said. “We’re excited to support the STEM education and hopefully find our future and help mentor our future energy engineering leaders.”
Next school year, when the students return to Garden Hills Elementary School, their old gaming room will look completely different with even more technologies to explore.
“In so many scenarios, the seeds of achievement gaps reflect opportunities that translate to gaps in background knowledge very early,” Laurienti said. “Elementary SmartLab students enter middle school with knowledge and experience that help them see possibilities for themselves they might not have otherwise imagined and the skills and experience to reach them.”