This fall, our elementary students have started using a new place to learn. What was previously a storage room now functions as a room for science, technology, engineering, graphic arts, and math. In the CAT (Create, Apply, Test) Lab, students engage in hands-on activities and projects that build upon each other and connect to real-world applications. This integrated learning approach blends computer science with math, English language arts, and science, helping students develop foundational skills across disciplines.

Currently, elementary students use the room for a class focused on the principles of computer science. In this class, students will be practicing computer programming, creating stories with block code, and exploring input and output!

Transformations of physical spaces such as the CAT Lab are beneficial for students and learning but are also a reminder of the greater community we are blessed to be a part of. We worked with partners such as Windemuller Electric, Hulst Heating and Cooling, Burgess Concrete, Lindhout Painting, Weathershield Roofing, Advantage Millwork, The Blind Spot, and students at South Christian High School (who are making tables for the space) to turn a once dreary room into a beautiful multipurpose learning space. We are so grateful for this community and their support.

We look forward to the excellent work students will do as they practice utilizing technology to enhance their learning experiences!