Student’s STEM Education Experience in the SmartLab HQ

A favorite thing for CLS trainers to do is drop in on a SmartLab HQ and ask the students, “whatcha’ doin’?”

Learners are so enthusiastic and their project ideas are usually more interesting than anything we come up with when developing the curriculum.

It’s also wonderful when students tell us that the SmartLab HQ is their favorite place in school. We don’t expect them to think about what goes into creating a learning environment like the SmartLab HQ—their job is to learn.

So when we received a letter from Ammon Love, Herriman High School’s Student Body President, it was special indeed.

Ammon clearly understands and appreciates the resources he and his classmates have been able to access through the Herriman SmartLab HQ. Moreover, he understands the investment his school has made in his future and he doesn’t take it for granted.

Ammon was kind enough to take time to send a letter describing his SmartLab Learning experience.

With Ammon’s permission, we’re sharing his letter:

To the Staff,

I am a current student and the Student Body President at Herriman High School in the Tech 2 class that utilizes the Technology Lab. I have been asked to write this letter in regards to the large amount of success that this Tech Lab has provided for me and my fellow students.

In all aspects, you have supplied the necessary technology to create an atmosphere where a student can learn to become an intrinsic thinker, a productive creator, and an innovative leader.

First, and more specifically, the amount of technology available is beyond belief. This year I worked on a senior project that involved about 30 students out of the student body to create a short-film narrating the problems many teenagers face and the effects it has on each other.

To create this film, I needed the proper equipment, including a decent camera, microphones, lighting, tripods, software etc., and Mr. Kim Durfee (our current Technology Department Head) was able to supply every piece of necessary technology without a moment’s hesitation.

This lab was able to support me in everything I needed and more for my film project, and I have no doubt it is filled with such a general amount of creative technology that it can supply the needs of just about any student aspiring to educate themselves on the mechanics of the technology field which they wish to go into.

Second, the quality of the technology is that of a professional studio in the layout of a high school classroom. In my own experience, the tools available in this lab were so high-quality that it allowed me to create a professional grade advertisement that won first in the commercial category of the Utah High School Film Festival. No doubt there was an enormous sum of money to fund such a 5-star class laboratory, however, the money was well worth the amount of educational, hands-on opportunities that it provides for my fellow students and I in the building of our futures.

Third, the technology is professionally up-to-date so as to allow all students who apply themselves to have enough experience available to jump immediately into more difficult, specific college courses or even into the professional field. I myself have learned so much necessary information in the field of Video Production that I plan to create my own home studio and work on commercials and advertisements on the side of my college study. This lab allows each student to become so familiar with the constantly improving and moving technology world, that it is a powerful preparation to allow them jump immediately into the professional world.

The amount, quality and up-to-date availability of the technology accessible in the Herriman High School Technology Lab will provide a powerful preparation for the futures of all the students who so choose to apply themselves to learning its many functions, and is worth any amount of money necessary to achieve that pure form of hands-on education.

Sincerely,
Ammon Love
Student Body President

Thank you, Ammon!