WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – Back in July school officials at Whitley County Middle School began planning for a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) lab.
“To see things they may other-wise might not be able to see and to give them an opportunity as they go in to the high school to be prepared to make choices in the pathways that will be impactful to them for their careers,” said Principal Stuart Conlin.
Now almost a year later, the new technology center is finally available and school officials say it is crucial for a student’s educational experience.
“If we don’t expose them to what STEAM really involves, they’re not going to know that that’s the path they need to be taking. So anytime we can take an ignite an interest in our students, you know that’s what we want to do,” said Seventh Grade Science Teacher Mary Wilson.
Featuring various forms of technology like a virtual reality headset and a flight simulator, students have a variety of options when it comes to their virtual learning.
“We have coding. We have robotics where the students can program them to do different activities. We have 3D printers. Kind of the sky is the limit,” she said.
Conlin says the new technology will help teachers educate students on a different level.
“They got so many phenomenal ideas of all they want to do with this. That’s going to allow them to extend on the standards in which they’re teaching in a way they’ve never been able to do it before,” he said.
Wilson adds the lab is exciting for students as it encourages them.
“It’s so key, especially at the middle school age level. That’s when they really they figure out who they are, what they like and what they don’t like,” she said. “So my hope is that this will get some students interested in those types of careers and let them see, they can do it. It doesn’t matter where you are from.”
Wilson says the lab was a district wide effort with many people involved to make the lab a reality.
The lab was paid for through general funds and various grants. The district spent around $30,000 on the project.
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