STEAM Lab Emerging

This is a model of a STEAM lab I envision for elementary schools

The plastic containers are set up along the back wall in between a supply shelf and a book shelf. In front of the containers is a an old tan table. On the table and in the shelves is a large assortment of creative materials including recyclables, glue, velcro, duct tape, scotch tape, paint, markers, popsicle sticks, paint brushes, shaker cans of sand, paper plates, clay, tissue paper, construction paper, cardboard, and more.

Behind that display, in the back of the room, are more supplies including Little Bits, Makey Makey, blocks, K'nex, Legos, and old toys.

This is the start of our STEAM lab and maker station. Our first big project is making landscape models to inform our ecosystem science unit. Rather than telling children how to make trees, mountains, seacoasts, and other landforms, children are creatively combining the materials to build models of their favorite places in nature.

The start of this more 3-D center for teaching and learning is messy--the room is small, the teaching program varied, and the student numbers quite large. We're a bit squished for 3-D learning and creation, but as I rearrange shelves, desks, and other supplies, I'm able to make more space. Plus the room is next to the playground so on good days we're able to work outside too.

Some students are unaccustomed to the problem solving and creative thinking required in this space. Some don't have the stick-to-itness to keep trying, and others haven't really tried to create using multiple materials. Yet there are others who gravitate to this with confidence and ease--they've done this kind of creative work before.

While it's a bit daunting to step into this new realm with gusto, there's enough research and observation to lead me forward. As I watch these problem solvers work together, brainstorm, share ideas, use content language, and turn their ideas and learning into 3-D design and creations, I know good learning is happening, the kind of learning they'll use again and again to solve problems, share understanding, and make change.  This is the kind of work that happens in engineering, medical, film, design, and tech labs--the kind of work that leads to new inventions that make a difference, the kind of thinking and work we need in our world.

This movement from mostly 2-D learning to more 3-D learning will take time, time that will include the following steps:

• Organize current supplies.
• Make more room for displays.
• Continue to collect materials from recycled goods, grant funding, and more.
• Embed 3-D creation work into each science unit.
• Invite visiting scientists to model their 3-D work and learning.
• Match the 3-D work with standards, vocabulary building, background knowledge via books and videos, and multiple models accessed in real-time and online. 
• Make time for free Explore and student creativity days.

Long term, I hope that schools will move towards opening Maker Spaces and STEAM labs, but in the meantime, I'll do what most elementary school teachers do and continue to carve a niche for 3-D learning in the students' classroom.