One of the best parts of my job as superintendent is visiting classes and observing student work. This week, I visited the Grade 6 Challenge Lab at South Orangetown Middle School. As I often do, I asked the general question of the students, “Hey…what are you folks working on?” After a brief overview of the day’s events, two students, Zach and Sebastian, gave me a very thorough overview on their study of Pancreatic Cancer (you can see more of their work at: https://blogs.socsd.org/pancreaticcancerpagesoms/ ). As I listened to Sebastian’s spontaneous presentation on pancreatic cancer, I soon realized that the Challenge Lab was unlike any other class I have seen in a typical middle school since mastery of academic content is largely “student-driven” and project-based. Students generate solutions to real-world problems that are of interest to each using 21st Century technologies – digital, electronic, applied research, artistic expression, and social/civic action. Here is a brief introduction to Challenge Lab from the website:
“The Challenge Lab is defined by four themes which are technology, artistic exploration, applied research, and civic action projects. The Challenge Lab will embody a maker culture that includes a student-centered classroom focused on the essential questions as well as the 4 C’s. Students will be immersed in a fusion of project-based learning and problem-based learning. Students will be connected with resources that foster 21st century learning. The teacher will also create flexible guidelines that provides autonomy and structure to helps students stay on task. The teacher and students will collaborate which supports a partnering pedagogy that empowers students to lead, innovate, and communicate. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in class trips that provide the opportunity for experiential learning. The Challenge Lab is also a place for students and teachers to utilize outside of the scheduled Challenge Lab class. For example students and teachers from a science class can utilize the Challenge Lab for a project to learn about electrical circuits using SparkFun Inventor Kits and littleBits. This supports an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to education that illustrates the goals of SOMS as well as SOCSD.”
I wish to thank their teacher, Mr. Andrew McIntosh and the whole sixth-grade crew in the Challenge Lab for a very informative and fascinating discussion. If you would like to learn more about Challenge Lab, please visit: https://blogs.socsd.org/amcintosh/projects/
