Lab challenges young minds

The Island Now
First grade students at North Side Elementary School in the East Williston School District watched as Innovation Lab teacher Henry Kupstas tested their home construction designs against a wind storm created using a hair dryer. (Photo courtesy of the East Williston School District)

The East Williston School District has opened the doors to North Side Elementary School’s new Innovation Lab. In this new exciting space, Innovation Lab teacher Henry Kupstas will lead STEAM lessons as part of the Project Lead the Way launch program as well as enrichment activities for North Side students.

Designed to stimulate and inspire imagination and creative thinking, in the Innovation Lab personalized learning will saturate the activities conducted in the lab as students explore their growth mindsets by experimenting and participating in the engineering design process.

North Side’s Innovation Lab, which is open to all grade K-4 students, will feature high tech equipment including a 3D printer as well as ensure students are balancing digital tools with items such as Keva blocks, Legos, cardboard, recycled materials and other items as they construct their original ideas.

First grade students working in the Innovation Lab constructed houses to withstand a wind storm to keep the three little pigs safe. With some success and some failures, students learned the most important thing is the process.

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