CONCORD — It’s full STEAM ahead at Concord Public Schools.
The Concord Public Schools STEAM Lab, established nearly a decade ago, remains a hub of innovation for K-5 students exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). At least twice a year, every elementary school student visits the lab to take part in inquiry-based projects that promote collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
“The experience empowers students to feel confident and creative in tackling real-world problems through a STEAM lens,” said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shelly Chin. “Participants develop critical thinking skills and habits of mind to answer life’s challenges. It also serves as a learning lab for pedagogy and teaching practices, allowing for collaborative teaching with a subject-specific colleague.”
The STEAM Lab, located in a refurbished gym at the Ripley Building, which also houses administrative offices and a preschool, was established in 2017 with support from the Concord Education Fund. It was designed to cultivate curiosity and hands-on learning, while also serving as a professional development space for educators.
Unlike a traditional science lab, the STEAM Lab is an open and flexible space where students experiment with raw materials, including wooden blocks, circuits, soil, light bulbs, charcoal, and cheesecloth. They use these tools to complete design challenges related to topics such as friction, electricity, erosion, and water filtration.
Students learn to work through design problems by brainstorming, testing, and improving their models. Challenges include building filters to reduce water acidity and turbidity, identifying materials that conduct electricity, and creating soundproof boxes.
Aimed at spurring critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, the lessons from the STEAM Lab are integrated into the school’s research-based science curriculum. The teaching modules, designed by STEAM Lab Instructor Merrie Najimy, are overseen by STEAM Lab Coordinator Allison Forseter.
“This is one of the ways we provide meaningful and engaging projects that are important for the 21st century around collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking,” said Assistant Superintendent Chin. “We see it not only as a lab for the kids, but a space of support for our teachers. Our K-5 teachers cover all subject areas. But the STEAM Lab allows them to work collaboratively and to teach with a colleague who focuses on this single subject area.”
The STEAM Lab is considered a hallmark of the inquiry and process-based learning that is embraced by the district.
“Students throughout our District become exposed to the STEAM approach through the STEAM Lab at the Ripley Building,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “After years of these STEAM learning experiences, our students feel confident and creative when analyzing and tackling real-world problems using a STEAM framework. The skills they develop — from collaboration and perseverance to innovative thinking — will serve them well beyond the classroom. We’re incredibly proud of how this program continues to inspire both our students and our educators.”
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At the STEAM Lab, located at the Ripley Building, third graders experimented with friction ramps to determine which materials cause the most friction. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
The students then applied their knowledge of motion and friction to a design challenge to build a sturdy, leakproof waterslide with a curve and test a mini-Lego figure down their slide. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
The students built their waterslides together as part of their day of hands-on learning at the STEAM Lab. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
Students visiting the STEAM Lab work through design problems by testing and improving their models. (Photo Courtesy Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)