The Virginia-Highland Elementary School STEAM Smart Lab has everything from virtual reality headsets, new computers, a 3D printer, tools for circuity building, laser cutters, graphic design programs, videography equipment, and more for the students to get a hands-on learning experience with modern technology. Check out highlights from the June 2024 ribbon cutting and see how excited the students at Virginia-Highland were to become one only of three schools in the Atlanta Public Schools district to have a STEAM Smart Lab.
Atlanta Public Schools’ Virginia-Highland Elementary got a visit from Freddie Falcon to celebrate Falcons Friday to “Rise Up!” for Atlanta Falcons Football!!
After the school’s celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, the students at Virginia-Highland Elementary School were more than excited to start exploring the new devices and gadgets in its new STEAM Smart Lab.
The STEAM Smart Lab has everything from virtual reality headsets, new computers, a 3D printer, tools for circuity building, laser cutters, graphic design programs, videography equipment, and more for the students to get a hands-on learning experience with modern technology.
“It’s an endless possibility in that classroom,” APS interim superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle said after the ribbon cutting. “It’s not just another room full of devices. It will open up creativity for our students, more critical thinking, and help them work collaboratively with each other.”
Virginia-Highland Elementary School is just one of three APS schools to have a STEAM Smart Lab on campus. The lab is designed to immerse students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Cutting-edge technology and interactive learning tools will provide students with a dynamic environment where they can explore, create, and collaborate.
“This is going to give our students opportunities that we would not have otherwise experienced,” Virginia-Highland Elementary School principal Terry Harness said. “They’re excited to be able to use the resources that the STEAM Lab will be able to provide to do some innovative, critical, creative thinking that they’ll be able to use throughout the day. They want to create. They want to be makers, and this is going to give them that opportunity to do that.”
Watching the students take over the room after the ribbon-cutting ceremony revealed how in-touch with technology the elementary-aged students already are. There was a line for the virtual reality headsets, a huddle around the 3D printer and more students exploring the innovation-inspiring room.
“This has been a long process to get these resources and tools to provide for the students of Virginia-Highland Elementary School access so they can build and experience the things they learn about in class,” APS digital learning specialist for science Tommy Clay said. “You want kids excited about learning. This is what learning should be. It should be kids excited about coming in to school.”
The students at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School shouted with excitement when the Atlanta Falcons players revealed themselves from behind the stage curtain in the school gymnasium.
“It was a big surprise for our scholars,” M. Agnes Jones Elementary School principal Robert Williams said. “It’s amazing because when you think about all the hard work the Falcons players have done to get to the stage where they are, it really inspires our children that they can reach their dreams. The interaction with them is invaluable.”
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddles included teacher appreciation visits to F.L. Stanton Elementary School and W.J. Scott Elementary School, where Falcons players gave flowers to teachers. Players also visited Virginia-Highland Elementary School and M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, where they went through a series of skills and drills with students during a physical education class.
The students at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School played catch with Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay, ran ladder drills with offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom, tried to do as many pushups and sit-ups as they could with receiver Mack Hollins and had fun going through a variety of drills with the other players inside the gym at different stations.
“It was phenomenal. There’s no better experience than getting to come here and the kids’ energy is just infectious,” Lindstrom said. “Giving back is something that the organization, and us as players, take a lot of pride in. There’s a lot of phenomenal things that people are doing around the community, and the community gives us (Falcons) so much that we are really thankful for the support the community gives us.”
M. Agnes Jones Elementary School students excited to see the Atlanta Falcons at their school. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
M. Agnes Jones Elementary School principal Robert Williams helps a student at the pass catching station.(photo: Thomas Scott) 
M. Agnes Jones assistant principal Lindsey Rutledge goes through back pedaling drill.(photo: Thomas Scott) 
M. Agnes Jones assistant principal Lindsey Rutledge goes through back pedaling drill. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay huddles with a group of M. Agnes Jones Elementary students. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
The Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to F.L. Stanton Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to F.L. Stanton Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to F.L. Stanton Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to F.L. Stanton Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to F.L. Stanton Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to Virginia-Highland Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to Virginia-Highland Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to Virginia-Highland Elementary School. 
Atlanta Falcons Hometown Huddle visit to Virginia-Highland Elementary School.
Joining the Atlanta Falcons were a handful of students from North Atlanta High School who completed the most community service hours during the Summer of Service initiative. It was a fun and exciting day for the students, players and staff at the schools.
“Today’s event was awesome,” M. Agnes Jones Elementary School assistant principal Lindsey Rutledge said. “It was awesome to be able to interact with the hometown team. We always represent the Falcons on ‘Falcons Friday,’ so it’s awesome to lift the spirits of the kids. They actually got to do some activities with the players, and I think it was an exciting time.”