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Holland, Northeast Dubois Elementary Schools Cut Ribbons on Design and Innovation Studios
By Kris Norton
Behind funding made available through the Eli Lilly Foundation, Vincennes University has partnered with Purdue University to bring hands-on technical learning to Southwestern Indiana. Both Holland and Northeast Dubois Elementary Schools officially cut the ribbon on Monday, with Perry Central to follow of Thursday.
VU President Chuck Johnson cuts the ribbon at Holland Elementary Monday at 10 a.m.
Principal Courtney Hopf and Teacher Jen Wright cut the ribbon at Northeast Dubois Elementary Monday at 10 a.m.
Early immersion plays a part in setting a strong foundation for the students' futures, says Vincennes University President Chuck Johnson.
"The main goal is giving them project-based learning to introduce them to STEM concepts, it allows them to be able to maybe gain some hands on experience with those subjects," Johnson said. "It maybe will influence their thinking about where they want to go as far as career paths."
Johnson says that this experience is one of many that serve as building blocks in education.
Within each studio are a number of interactive and educational work stations; within those stations sit 3-D printers, electric smart cars, and brightly lit programmable orbs called Spheros.
On Monday, one of said Spheros was covered up by a solo cup decorated as a rabbit. Purdue University's Sascha Harrell explains this cross between education and fun.
Katelynn Goodwin, 4th Grade at Holland, controls a rabbit-themed Sphero from an iPad
"That's a maze challenge that they have with the Spheros, which is a computer science coding technology," Harrell said. "Anywhere from Pre-K to 6th grade, it's a very introductory technology, if you will, into building stackable learning into coding with robotics."
At stations around the room, students in Dubois were working with robotic arms to pick up and stack blocks, create their own tracks.
VUJC Dean Christian Blome helps Ruger Freyberger, 2nd Grade at NE Dubois create a track
Northeast Dubois Principal Courtney Hopf says they're excited to have these new technologies within the building.
"I think it's a huge asset for our students, we're just so fortunate to be able to provide so much technology, coding and STEM experience..." Hopf said. "It's just a really exciting opportunity."
Though they were not at the forefront of the demonstrations, the 3-D printers have already been put to good use.
3-D printers in the back of the studio at Holland Elementary
Students at Holland Elementary have tied in their reading of Little Red Riding Hood to the studio, creating printed characters; students at NE Dubois learned more about animals by printing their teeth.
Though the process is fairly new for both schools, students and administrators alike are looking forward to the possibilities.