Wednesday, March 29, 2017

S.T.E.M. REMODELING PROJECT

S.T.E.M. REMODELING PROJECT


This area will become the Cyber Lab for students with blended schedules.
Our high school runs a 2-year S.T.E.M. program. Students apply in their sophomore year, and if they are accepted, participate in seminars throughout their junior year. During their senior year, they are enrolled in an actual S.T.E.M. class. As part of their class, they are responsible for the planning and implementing of a project that benefits some aspect of the school district.
This is the first year that such a project was implemented. I applied last year to be the beneficiary of their program, and they selected my application in part because the library is a space that is used by the entire school.
The plan for the library is as follows...
1) A space for the Cyber Lab students. The library is home to students who are enrolled part-time in cyber courses. They go to some of their classes, and they come to the library for classes that they take online.
This area will eventually be a makerspace.
2) A more contained instructional space. Now that our students each have a Chromebook, the need for desktops has decreased. My instructional space is being reduced. I can still accommodate the same number of students, but less space is needed since they no longer need desktops. The extra are will be changed to...
3) Collaborative Space: This are will have a project, mobile white board, and tables covered with a white-board surface so that dry erase markers can be used.
4) A Makerspace: This area use to house the cyber students and a few desktops. For now, it will have approximately 6 desktops that will be better quality and more extensive applications such as C.A.D. and other advanced programs. Eventually, I would like to make this are more like the makerspaces I see in other libraries.
5) An updated reading area: My cozy reading spaces will receive an upgrade. Furniture will be rearranged and new furniture, plants, lamps, and area rugs will be donated by local retailers.
The planning phase is finally over, and the maintenance crew has been in the library all week. I will post "after" photos as soon as everything is finished!

Posted by: Nicky

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