An Update from Technology Integration Specialist, David Thielen

Step inside the Walder Innovation Lab, a space where creativity and curiosity spark discovery across the STEAM spectrum and beyond! STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Read about what some of our grades have been up to this week.

In Grade 2's first experience of the Innovation Lab, we read What Would You Do With an Idea? and had a great discussion about how this new space is all about sparking new wonderings and ideas! Our students then had the opportunity to get their first taste of idea creation using our LEGO wall, building blocks, cardboard cutters, and other consumable items. 

Students in Grade 4 are focused on the 4 C's: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. These four words will be a staple for the new space and encompass what innovation is really about! Students are in the process of creating letters using any consumable material of their choice (cardboard, paper, paper towel rolls, pom poms, pipe cleaners, and the list goes on) that will eventually help us to spell out the 4 C's, and then be put up on our front wall in our innovation lab! 

Grade 5 students explored Ozobots for the very first time this week, learning that reading and writing code can look very different depending on the end goal. Ozobots can read marker code, and in our upcoming lesson, students will learn to code Ozobots to perform 360s, nitro boost, turn in certain directions at intersections, make U-turns, and more! 

Finally, the Lab hosted Coding, one of our After School Adventures. The space is perfect for this activity, and students were excited to use it.