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SmartLab projects focus on real-world problems

Since the 1990s, Clovis Municipal Schools have had “tech labs” at our secondary school sites. While Clovis High School Freshman Academy and Clovis High School have steered in slightly different directions in technology education, our three middle schools have maintained and updated the existing tech labs, which are now called “SmartLabs” to align fully with the program being used.

Our middle-school SmartLab facilitator teachers are Rebecca Cottone at Marshall; Devon Maynard at Gattis; and Robert Castillo at Yucca. Recently finishing up a joint program workshop, these three teachers shared details of the program and how it benefits students.

The program is interactive with a combination of whole group activities, combined with independent, self-contained computer stations where students work in pairs and/or small groups.

Looking in on the workshop I learned about the STEM-focused topics that were covered. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The SmartLab teachers follow a clearly delineated instructional model to encourage students in critical thinking, innovative problem solving, and effective collaboration.

“This is not always easy,” said Cottone, describing the collaborative activities. “However, students learn to work together well, just as they'll have to in the real world, to reach solutions.”

The topics covered in the SmartLabs are wide-ranging, including: alternative and renewable energy (solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.); circuitry (various electronics and pneumatics, etc.); computer graphics (photo-editing, stop-motion animation, 3D modeling, etc.); digital communications (digital presentations, photo/video editing, website design, etc.); mechanics and structures (bridge and structure design/testing, model building); robotics and control technology (designing, programing technologies); scientific data and analysis (astronomy, geography, meteorology, flight simulation, etc.); software engineering (software development, coding)… and more.

The content is primarily project-based and generally focuses on real-world problem solving. Plus, the SmartLab teachers tie in the SmartLab curriculum to what students are covering in their core classes, language arts, math, science, and social studies, where possible, to reinforce learning.

The SmartLab classes are engaging for students and encourage independence, through the rule of thumb of “3 Before Me.”

For example, if a student has a question, they must have searched for the answer to their question using three available resources; only afterward will the teacher assist, if they’ve been unable to find their answer.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at [email protected]