So it turns out that some school district in this area have what they call “Design Labs”. What are they you ask? Well, kind of just what it sounds like. Its like an experimental laboratory to design things using all kinds of materials, tools, and some new and upcoming technology.
I’m sure the design lab gets a lot of funding as the world seems pretty keen on shifting our perspective to the latest and greatest technologies.
Below is a photo taken of the classroom section of the Design Lab where students have access to cricket machines, laser cutters, and a space to work in, whereas the other half of the design lab is where much of the materials and tools get stored. It houses some 3D printers, all the Lego you could dream of, button makers, materials galore, and past projects on display.
Image Description: Design Lab, complete with long tables, stools, bright lighting with some ceiling tiles painted with different images, and a big screen on the wall.
What stood out for me was the ability to learn about a theory or an idea and then to bring it to life in a way that requires a lot of hands-on problem-solving skills. I’m not a huge fan of always being on top of the latest and greatest tech, but I do appreciate the ability to learn by doing.
For example, in the picture below a Lego construction of the Moon’s rotation is controlled by a tiny motor on an axis that rotates the tiny Moon on an axis, and then some small gears leading to the Moon that spins the Moon on its own axis.
This is an example of some low tech, hands-on learning that can reinforce a student’s learning by seeing and doing.
To book the Design Lab as a teacher, for your class, you can follow the QR code for this robot, SKOOT, who will help you select tools for your class’s learning.
This week’s class topic is ‘Innovation in Education’. Describe the SD#5 Design Lab. How does it fit in with ‘Innovation in Education’? What stood out to you? Which activities did you choose to do? How do you envision using this space with a class? What sort of project would you choose to do?
We tried to design some pins on an ipad to print off using the cricket machine, but have tech problems connecting to the cricket machine (classic) so gave up and went and made a pin using just paper and markers instead.
In the future I could see myself using the lab to reinforce learning. I’m not one to deny the future as being full of tech, so I’d love to figure out ways on how to integrate outdoor learning with tech. Tech doesn’t mean we have to always be inside, we just have to get more creative!