STEAM & Computers
Use of Technology
The integration of technology to enhance the learning experience at LACS is a fundamental aspect of our educational approach.Â
Teachers incorporate technology into their classroom teaching techniques as appropriate. Across grade levels, teachers augment their lessons, and students are expected to apply their technical skills in projects, written reports, and presentations.
There is a computer lab equipped with computers and a 3D printer to be used by students in K-8. In the Middle, we operate a 1:1 laptop model, providing all students with school-provided Chromebook. We actively utilize a diverse range of online curricula and resources to stay current with both technology instruction and infrastructure.
Teachers leverage various audio, video, and computing technologies to enhance their teaching and communication with students.Â
Elementary School: Lego Robotics Lab
The STEAM curriculum for K-5th graders at LACS focuses on incremental learning in Lego robotics, covering Lego WeDo, Prime, Essential, and Mindstorms.
Lego Robotics: Students begin with Lego WeDo and progress through Prime and Essential, eventually working with Mindstorms. Each level builds on the previous one, introducing increasing complexity in both robot construction and the coding required to control them.
Coding and Robotics Skills: Through hands-on experience, students learn to build and control robots using block coding on tablets. This enhances their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, preparing them for real-world applications as robotics becomes more integrated into daily life.
Responsible Use of Robots: The curriculum emphasizes the responsible use of robots and an understanding of their limitations, such as their inability to empathize. This teaches students to consider the ethical implications of technology and the importance of human values.
Organization and Respect for Materials: Students are taught to organize their robot kits after each session, promoting respect for materials and ensuring everything is ready for the next group. This practice instills responsibility and care for shared resources.
Team Projects and Collaboration: Students engage in team projects, pairing up to share kits and tablets. Through collaboration, they troubleshoot and find optimal solutions, learning crucial life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
This curriculum equips students with essential skills in robotics, coding, and collaboration, while fostering responsibility and ethical awareness in technology use.
Elementary School: Innovation Lab
Innovation Lab
The K-5th grade curriculum at LACS Innovation Lab focuses on developing typing skills, digital literacy, coding, and leadership training.
Typing: Students progress through a custom-paced program that ensures they develop appropriate typing skills for their grade level. Younger students begin with basic finger placement and engaging typing games. By 2nd and 3rd grade, they move on to more advanced exercises and touch typing techniques. In 4th and 5th grade, students undertake rigorous drills and regular assessments to refine their skills.
Digital Literacy: Emphasized at every grade level, digital literacy covers understanding online privacy, safe sharing practices, and proper online etiquette through videos, discussions, and collaborative activities. Students also explore the latest technologies, starting with tools like Canva for simple projects and advancing to 3D design and more complex digital endeavors as they grow older.
Coding: Beginning with Scratch Jr. for the youngest students, coding instruction introduces logic and sequencing through simple block coding. By 3rd grade, students transition to Scratch, where they learn basic programming concepts and create simple projects. In the 4th and 5th grades, they develop more complex interactive games and simulations. Additionally, students create personal Scratch portfolios, which they present at the end of the school year.
Leadership Training: Throughout the program, students are encouraged to collaborate and present their work, helping them build strong communication and teamwork skills, which are foundational to leadership development.
The LACS Innovation Lab curriculum equips students with essential digital skills, fosters creativity and problem-solving, and promotes leadership and teamwork, all tailored to their developmental stages and interests. This approach empowers students to leverage digital literacy in pursuing their unique dreams.
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Middle School: STEAM Robotics Lab (Elective)
In this course, students actively participate in the creation of a colony on Mars, a complex task divided into 12 intriguing missions. These missions encompass activities such as mining, establishing satellite communications, maintaining colony modules, and various other challenges. The curriculum focuses on training students to utilize color sensors for object recognition, identify objects, and program robot movement along specified lines.
Middle School: Computer Lab (Elective)
Throughout this course, students develop familiarity with design software and engage with design thinking concepts, utilizing Figma for practical application. The interactive curriculum guides students through the process of developing design thinking from ideation to complete prototyping, offering exposure to potential careers in design. By using Figma, students witness immediate results of their design decisions, fostering hands-on, experiential learning and enhancing presentation skills. Recognizing the increasing importance of design principles and tools in advancing technology, this elective serves as an indispensable asset, encouraging students to explore the limitless possibilities of design and open their minds to future opportunities.
