JKHA middle school students in sixth through eighth grades have embraced the exciting addition of a new middle school STEAM lab. This state-of-the-art STEAM lab/Makerspace was built to foster innovation in students by allowing them to explore, using hands-on, collaborative and personalized learning experiences. Throughout the week students sign up for lunchtime slots and choose what they want to work on, experimenting with tools and technologies in a safe and supervised environment, creating opportunities for self-driven and self-paced learning. The STEAM lab is led by JKHA/RKYHS Educational Technologist Miri Rubin.

The lab is outfitted with multiple new Mac computers for designing and video editing, several 3D printers where students print what they’ve created from 3D designs in Tinkercad, a robotics station, STEM supplies and microprocessors, and an arts and crafts station for an array of creative art activities. A recording studio complete with a green screen and teleprompter enables students to produce stop motion animation and other video projects. Students are looking forward to monthly STEAM competitions in middle school and other project updates from the “Kushner Creators.”