Avon Lake students use science and technology to boost learning

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Students at schools across Avon Lake have been embracing technology to create innovative lessons.

At Troy Intermediate School, youngsters and staff have been using the school’s Makerspace area, which is equipped with a wide range of equipment, from Lego sets to a podcasting studio.

It also includes 3D printers, a Cricut sewing and embroidery machine and a green screen studio, among other items.

The burst of hands-on learning experiences has been led by Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) educator Katya Melott, who works with core curriculum teachers to join up classroom learning with STEAM concepts.

“In Mrs. Geraci’s sixth-grade social studies class, students learned about Geocaching and applied their knowledge to complete a thrilling scavenger hunt using a map to solve 10 clues related to ancient Mesopotamia,” according to a school district news release.

“Fifth-grade students in Mrs. Randall’s class explored their individual family histories by conducting research and using INFOhio’s timeline feature.”

Students can also access the Makerspace tools and develop their STEAM skills during homeroom classrooms and can work on individual or group projects.

And at Learwood Middle School, seventh-grade students have embarked on an entrepreneurship program that also utilizes the Makerspace equipment.

The youngsters are spending the year building upon the marketing skills they gained through career exploration at Lorain County Joint Vocational School and their skills class.

They are bringing together what they have learned in a practical “Shark Tank” exercise in which students formed groups to design, create and brand a product to improve their quality of life.

“The products were creatively crafted with the help of Makerspace devices, including the embroidery device, 3D printer, glow forge, sublimation tool,” the news release noted.

“Next, students selected a target audience and determined the cost of their products — specifically, how much it would cost to manufacture and sell.

“Finally, a variety of adult ‘Sharks’ made inquiries regarding the products and decided which to invest their dollars in.

“This hands-on learning experience helps empower students with presentation, communication and other valuable life skills while putting into practice recently acquired marketing techniques.”

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