Northwest Middle School receives state-of-the art learning lab
Thanks to an initiative sponsored by Verizon, students at Northwest Middle School now have access to a cutting edge learning lab that will introduce them to technology you don’t see in the everyday classroom.
The Verizon Innovative Learning Lab aligns with the company’s plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement by providing free technology, access, and innovative learning tools to under-resourced schools across the country. Since 2012, the Verizon Innovative Learning program has provided more than $850 million in market value to support STEM education nationwide, helping students learn by infusing tech into curriculum.
According to Principal Freda Smith, the learning lab is phase two of their partnership with Verizon. In the first phase of the partnership the school received an instructional facilitator, teachers went through a special training course led by the J. Orin Edison Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, and every student received an iPad.
“That was a big deal and it actually allowed teachers to do lessons and activities to enhance what they were doing in the classroom by way of technology,” Smith continued. “So that was the first part and this lab is just the icing on the cake.”
The Innovative Learning Lab, which is housed in the library, includes a 3D-printer, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). The state-of-the-art innovation lab is designed by the J. Orin Edison Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, and will operate on a rotating schedule to allow every student a chance to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Smith said she’s confident students will learn skills in the lab that will carry over to the classroom.
“There’s different activities and things that students can learn in the lab to enhance math, social studies, ELA, art,” she said. “We’re excited about what it brings to our school and our community.”
On the day of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab, students were on hand to show district leaders and other visitors how some of the technology works. After demonstrating how to operate the Sphero, a mini robot ball that’s controlled by an iPad and teaches students about coding, 7th graders Lashia Brewton and Kennedy Jenkins said they have already seen lessons from robotics and coding carry over to other subjects and they’re excited to learn more.
Leydi Poritllo, who is also a 7th grader at Northwest, said she was so excited about the lab she could hardly sleep the night before. “I couldn’t sleep last night, I was so excited,” Poritllo laughed. “I really enjoy the 3D-printing. It’s amazing how much different stuff you can make.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus thanked Verizon, the staff at Northwest, district staff, and the other partners who helped bring the lab to fruition. McManus said what she first noticed during her tour was how engaged and knowledgeable the students were.
“What the students made very clear to me as I walked around this morning was how engaged they were. They were learning concepts and content in a very engaging way,” McManus continued. “All of this takes innovation, creativity, collaboration, all of the skills that are going to serve our students well down the line. Not to mention, these innovative technologies are the way of the future.
“Our students will be able to compete down the road. It’s going to open so many doors for our students.”
