Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School’s new Innovation Lab is expected to be a “happening place” as the 2022/23 gets underway on Tuesday, September 6. Huntington UFSD trustees approved the new program last June and a new teacher and curriculum are in place.
“The innovation lab is the cornerstone of what makes Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School a ‘STEM’ school,” Principal Donna Moro said. “Over the years, we have sought to use our innovation lab to develop a curriculum that fully aligns with our project based learning philosophy. While we have made some progress in this area, the effort has been limited for a variety of reasons, but most significantly, by the lack of a dedicated staff member responsible for developing and providing project based learning instruction.”
That is about to change as teacher Jessica Martino will staff the new STEM Innovation Lab. “Students will not only have one designated Innovation Lab period each week dedicated to project based learning/engineering, but they will also now participate in a computer science class,” Ms. Moro said.
There will be a 10 week course for fourth graders and a 20 week course for fifth and sixth graders. The class is aligned to the new New York State computer science and digital fluency standards.
“Part of the new curriculum will include participation in Project Lead The Way,” Ms. Moro said. “Our students will also resume participation in the First Lego League competitions. We are looking forward to a fun year filled with rich, rigorous innovation lab experiences!”
Students will participate in one or two Project Lead The Way projects. “Project Lead the Way encourages students to become hands-on problem solvers,” states the new program proposal submitted to trustees. “Attempting to address real-world problems will help students understand how knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom translate to everyday life.”
Visit https://www.pltw.org/ to learn more about Project Lead The Way.