This week my class visited a Design Lab, and the experience completely shifted how I think about technology in education. When I hear the word tech, I usually imagine screens, apps, or conceptual tasks that take place in front of a device. The Design Lab challenged that assumption immediately. It is located in a basement and includes a dedicated makers space with stools and work tables at the front, while the back of the room holds storage that is also set up with additional work spaces. Instead of screens dominating the environment, the room is filled with materials, tools, and opportunities for students to engage with technology in deeply tactile ways.
A Space Built for Creativity
During our introduction, we were given a walkthrough of the Design Lab website (I will not be linking for privacy reasons), which outlined a variety of activities available for classes from kindergarten to grade five.
“A few options for half or full day visits, dependent on grade level, include, but are not limited to;Ā
- LEGO Essentials City PlanningĀ
- LEGO Sound & Light
- LEGO Natural ResourcesĀ
- LEGO Great Frog RaceĀ
- LEGO Spike Mission Module Design ChallengeĀ
- LEGO Essentials Gondol Design ChallengeĀ
- Robotic Hand Challenge (Low Tech Engineering and LegoRobotics)
- MicroPet Robots (Microbits and Crafts)
- Paper Circuits – Design a Card (Batteries not included)
- Travel the World (Green Screen/VR)”
Reading through the list, I was struck by the wide range of skills students could practice, from design thinking to engineering principles to storytelling.
The physical space itself matched the range of options described on the website. Beyond the three dimensional printers, there were cardboard cutters, LEGO kits, and several Cricut machines that offer endless creative possibilities. The environment felt welcoming rather than intimidating, and the tools seemed intentionally chosen to support hands on exploration and problem solving. It was refreshing to see technology framed in such an accessible and playful way.
Hands On Creation and a Valuable Learning Moment
After the tour, we had the chance to create buttons for an upcoming event called Hour of Innovation. We used iPads to design the graphics, then transferred the designs to a Cricut for cutting. Unfortunately, my iPad crashed partway through the process and I lost the designs I had been working on. I did not have time to start over, but surprisingly I still left the activity feeling motivated. I was gifted a Cricut last year and have barely touched it because I felt intimidated, but after working with one in the Design Lab I feel much more confident. Even without a finished product, the experience gave me the encouragement I needed to explore the tool more independently.
Reimagining Technology in the Classroom
What stayed with me most deeply was how the Design Lab broadened my understanding of educational technology. The space reminded me that technology is not limited to screens and that students can build meaningful skills through tools that invite them to design, construct, and experiment. The Design Lab creates an environment where creativity and curiosity flourish, which is exactly the kind of learning I hope to support as a future teacher.
I am truly inspired by what I saw and I hope that my future school district has something similar. A space like this empowers students to see themselves as creators and innovators, and it offers teachers a dynamic platform for hands on learning. The experience left me excited about the possibilities ahead and eager to bring more creative technology into my own classroom.