Where Learners Come into Their Own Thinking

The team at Lake Oswego School District in Oregon recently installed a number of SmartLab HQs throughout their district. Two of their SmartLab Facilitators shared thoughts on the SmartLab Learning solutions.

The STEM SmartLab program continues to lead, model, and exemplify our collective goal of inspiring problem-solving, innovating, engineering, and designing. This is a mindset shift from traditional classroom structure to one that provides students with the space and tools to come into their own thinking, develop a sense of who they are as learners, and what they are capable of accomplishing. Our roles as facilitators give rise to students taking a lead and owning their own learning.

—Sarah Vannice, M.Ed, Innovation Facilitator, River Grove Elementary School

By utilizing SmartLab Learning’s systems, materials, and platforms, it supports the success of both the students and the teachers who get the pleasure of learning in these spaces. The SmartLab HQ at my school has encouraged students to not only think critically, but creatively and with innovation in mind. Students are consistently challenged, yet fully immersed in their learning experiences. Students gain collaboration skills as they fail and succeed together, while also maintaining independence in their learning endeavors.

—Nickie Doran, K–5th STEM and Innovation Facilitator, Hallinan Elementary School