What is the Sd5 Design Lab?
The Sd5 Design Lab is an area in Kootenay Orchards Elementary School that engages students in hands on learning by designing various projects. They have a huge range of activities; from virtual reality bomb defusal challenges, to unplugged activities such as putting together train tracks and making creations out of cardboard. There is a wide variety at the design lab that is both engaging and informative for all visitors, even us EKTEP students!
How does the design lab fit in with ‘Innovation in Education’?
The SD5 design lab definitely fits into ‘innovation in education’ by providing many students across the district with a space that promotes creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving. It’s a place for hands-on, creative problem-solving using tools like 3D printers, 3D art pens, virtual reality, building, robot programming, and more. The lab encourages students to collaborate and think outside the box, and connects students to skills they may need in the future!
What Stood Out to Me? What Activities Did I Do?
There was a lot that stood out to me, and there were so many activities to try; I wasn’t even able to do them all! Something that really stood out to me at the design lab was how engaged we all were with the activities. Everyone was having a blast playing with all the different tools they had, and no one wanted to leave! If this design lab was able to engage 16 university students to that level, I can only imagine how great this space would be for curious younger students who have never worked with these tools before!
I was able to try out many of the activities at our time in the design lab, I worked on building three loops out of some train tracks, tried (and failed) at defusing a bomb in virtual reality, learned how to make artwork using 3D pens, and made a mini robot follow a pattern that I created! I also really enjoyed watching the 3D printer do its job; it was both interesting and satisfying!
How Would I Use This Space As a Teacher?
I would 100% bring my students to a design lab, because it teaches students essential skills like creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving through hands-on experiences. The SD5 design lab allows students to experiment, design, and prototype projects, which can be connected to other subjects as well, whether it’s building models in science, or exploring various concepts in art and math, the design lab doesn’t just benefit students technology skills!
Check out this article about how implementing technology in the classroom can help lead to student success!
Image Source: Ernestas Nemanis
What Projects Could You Do in the Design Lab?
There are lots of projects that a teacher could do in the design lab. Here is a list of projects you could do in the design lab that connects to every subject:
