Innovative STEM lab

I feel like I am walking into a super technologically advanced modern room, when I walk into the Verizon Lab,” said Jacqueline Gonzalez. This school year, students at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School (MPVA) have the opportunity to take a high school credit class in a high-tech lab, to build creative confidence and technical skills. “I joined the class because I want to learn how to use the technology that can help me set up my business later in life,” shared Daydrian Palacios. The lab is equipped with VR headsets, 360-degree cameras, RVR Rover bots, Ultimaker Machines, and circuit board sets among many other technological equipment. 

The four main objectives of the program are for students to be schooled in immersive media, smart solutions, artificial intelligence and robotics, and product construction and innovation. Students can look forward to learning these key elements by creating 3D images that can be printed on one of the state-of-the-art 3D printers, using VR headsets to travel the world, or even programming robots to complete different tasks. “I am excited to learn, from our teacher Mr. Edmond, something new in a tech infused environment,” said Noah Hannes. 

While we are only in the middle of the first semester, students have engaged in many fun project-based activities. “It was thrilling for us to make our own paper airplane and compete with our classmates on whose plane travelled the furthest,” Jakob Sarabia proclaimed. Students have also created their own home planets that will be transferred to the VR via CoSpaces and ThingLink. In the coming weeks, students will learn to do VR gaming and modeling and will get to code and make their own 3D prototypes for creating a product that they think will make a job easier. 

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