The elementary faculty meeting on Tuesday, December 13th was a professional learning experience in the GEMS Innovation Lab. Teachers were invited to visit various interactive exhibits such as 3d design, paper circuits, robotics, green screen video, coding, and new multimedia creation software. Each exhibit contained the tools, supplies, and information available for teachers to tinker, explore, and generate new instructional ideas.
Collaborating with teachers is one of the main functions of the Innovation Lab program. Mrs. Payne and Mr. Hadd both work with GEMS teachers to plan new student learning experiences using a variety of tools and resources. The main goal of the open house was for elementary teachers to see what is avalable and to brainstorm possible future projects that can be supported by the lab.
Teachers were asked to complete an exit ticket indicating which exhibits they visited as well as their ideas. The tickets contained many positive reactions to the experience as well as numerous ideas.
Teachers were asked to complete an exit ticket indicating which exhibits they visited as well as their ideas. The tickets contained many positive reactions to the experience as well as numerous ideas.
"I didn't know what to expect - but very cool!"
"This is so cool. Thanks for hosting!"
"Need time to think about it all!"
"I am booking writing, I would love some time learning KidPix 3d."
"First graders would love to use the hands on manipulative activities!"
"It would be fun to make a 3d version of a building."
"Using the Green screen for where in the world? - famous landmarks."
"Hyperstudio 5 - create project displaying knowledge from non-fiction text."
"Robotics - create a map of setting from text according to description - robot follows map in sequence of events."
If the success of this open house can be measured by interest and ideas, the event was a home run! The lab has already seen an uptick in scheduling and Mrs. Payne and Mr. Hadd have been meeting individually with teachers about upcoming projects. The new year is going to be exciting and busy in the GEMS Innovation Lab!