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Engaging Middle School Students Through STEM Ed

Written by Bill Laurienti

Saint Junipero Serra Catholic School made this video showcasing their SmartLab HQ that caters to learners of all abilities from grades K–8 with hands-on STEM learning.

The students work with cutting-edge technologies so they can learn whatever technology comes their way in their future careers. What students learn in the SmartLab HQ is reinforced and integrated in their core classes. Students work together on projects to enhance their collaboration and communication skills so they can be ready for the workplace.

The job market is ever evolving with jobs that did not exist in previous years. This means we must prepare students for those future jobs that will continue to evolve. Employers are looking for skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication and adaptability. Our CEO, Matt Dickstein, says:

“You are only limited by your imagination and your determination. The question for you isn’t ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’. The question is: ‘Who do you want to be,’ ‘What problems do you want to solve,’ and ‘how do you plan to solve them?'”

Check out their video.
Bill.Laurienti
Bill Laurienti

Bill Laurienti is a Content Marketing Specialist at Creative Learning Systems. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (English) from Colorado Mesa University and a Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching from the University of California's Rossier School of Education. Bill came to CLS after 10 years in the secondary classroom. He believes SmartLabs are important tools for engaging unengaged students and helping them access careers they might not otherwise have imagined.

Case Study

Going beyond STEM to teach essential skills

When the team at Jewell Houston Academy, a magnet school in Texas, looked for a STEM program, they wanted one that would not only engage students in STEM careers but could also teach conflict-resolution, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Read about how the SmartLab HQ impacted both learners and enrollment.