In August, 2018, School Board President Stephen Rohrer, Technology Integrationist Barb Coffey and District 27 Superintendent Kent Froebe cut the ribbon to open the Eaton STEM Lab. “We are especially grateful to Eaton for their donations that helped make this a reality,’ Coffey said.

LJHS new Eaton STEM Lab sparks learning
By Angela Reiners

[January 26, 2019]  This year students at Lincoln Junior High School are broadening their understanding of technology fields in a newly designed STEM Lab. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and the focus for STEM curriculum is often on these areas.

The Eaton STEM Lab was set up with funding from Eaton and the Healthy Communities Grant and its operation is supported by local businesses.

Barb Coffey, Technology Integrationist at LJHS said, “The STEM lab will allow students to do hands-on activities that reinforce grade level standards in all content areas.”

Coffey said, “At the start of last school year, Superintendent [Kent] Froebe asked if I would begin plans for a STEM Lab at LJHS since the computer lab would no longer be needed once we were 1:1. We visited several other schools in the local area to see how they had setup their labs and began the process of designing a space that was flexible and fun for students.”

Funding was needed for the lab and Coffey said, “In order to pay for the lab space we submitted a grant application to EATON and they awarded us $15,000 to help with the initial cost of setup. In the past, they have supported our school district so that we could get to our 1:1 initiative. In recognition of their support, we decided to name the lab the EATON STEM LAB.”
 

Coffey said, “In addition to funds from EATON, our district also utilized the Healthy Community Grant to purchase Lego EV3 Mindstorm sets so that we will be able to begin an after-school Robotics club and team for sixth through eighth grade students.” In December, students competed at the First Lego League robotics competitions against other schools within a 60-mile radius.

Eaton STEM Lab teacher Mr. Qualter’s explains a lesson to students.

The design of the lab was important too. As Coffey noted, “It was important that the space be 100% flexible and offer students many seating and standing options.

All the chairs, tables, bookcases and even teacher desks are on wheels and can be moved in any fashion. We mounted TV monitors to the wall so that when students are collaborating they can display their Chromebook screen on a monitor so that all in the group can see and discuss their progress.”

Coffey said, “We are making community connections with the Lincubate program that is run by Clint Pollock and has been supported by local businesses, including Integrity Data and State Farm. We are excited by the potential growth that this relationship will provide students and expect to develop a group of students with strong technological skills and abilities.”

With these wonderful partnerships and community support students become more technologically savvy, a necessary skill in the twenty first century.

 

Read all the articles in our new
2019 Education Magazine

Title CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES	Page
Lessons for all - How to be good people	4
LJHS new Eaton STEM Lab sparks learning	9
Hands-n learning in LJHS STEM lab	11
Cheerleading encourages discipline and high academic standards	16
Outstanding educators produce students who succeed at life	19
Current status report for West Lincoln Broadwell School	23
Tutoring can minimize anxiety and result in stronger grades	24
ACT or SAT:  What is a college bound high school student to do?	28
Logan County Education Coalition assists in finding post secondary education opportunities and funds	31
Lincoln Colleges moves forward by looking to its past	35