Creation Adventures

Today we explored SD5’s design lab!

This was something that I did not even know existed, and yet all the wonders within it were amazing. We got a tour by Ryan McKenzie, who was so informative and helpful. He explained that the design lab, and the people who work in it are NOT IT workers, but rather they work as a transformative learning team. Their goals is to provide different ways of learning in the classrooms- all of them in SD5.

They use emerging technologies that range from low/mid tech to high tech. some examples of the low/mid tech they use is cardboard tools, Chompsaw cardboard cutters, 3D pens, and so much more. Some examples of the high-tech stuff they use is the VR (virtual reality headsets), 3D printers, drones, and again, so much more! The design lab also uses things like Game Design which were apps like Pixicade, Minecraft Education, Makecode Arcarde.

The purpose of the design lab education in the classrooms is the teach students and teachers that using technology as a part of your learning is not as difficult as it may seem, it is so interactive, and the students tend to love it! Here is the robot SKoot created by the design lab, I will also hyperlink the website HERE!

Some of the things we got to do today were: watch a 3D printer print dinosaur body parts (that the student or teacher would have to put together to complete)

The cardboard Halloween costume, made AND worn by Ryan.

A project made by students that moves when turned on, which allows students to be able to see and determine the phases of the moon.

Button/ pin makers, I also inserted a photo of my creation!

There was so much more in the design lab that I found so interesting, I am so grateful for this experience, and I am so excited to try some of these activities with students at a local elementary school later this week!