In a strategic effort to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education across Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), the division is launching two new STEM labs at Innovation and Neabsco Elementary Schools.

“Working with students in the Tech Lab gives them the opportunity to work collaboratively to solve real world problems,” said Heather Williamson, technology teacher at Innovation Elementary. “We love seeing the students work through the process and come away saying, ‘I love STEM!’”

The decision to expand the program stems from the success of Cedar Point Elementary School’s STEM lab, led by school administration and STEAM teacher, Adair Solomon. For the past seven years, they have hosted students from across the division, focusing on fifth-grade electricity standards. This initiative comes in response to the growing demand for STEM field trips and the need to reduce travel time for students from central and eastern parts of the county.

The original STEM lab at Cedar Point Elementary accommodates approximately 74 classes per year, with all available slots filling up within hours of being released. Students from eastern and central locations often travel up to an hour to participate in these enriching field trips. By adding new labs, PWCS aims to alleviate the pressure on Cedar Point’s program and provide more equitable access to STEM learning experiences.

“We focus not on teaching technology but instead on learning to be creative and to persevere through the design process,” explained Williamson. “Iterating an idea, finding what works, and thinking through how to solve problems are skills that come from hands-on, problem-based experiences.”

The establishment of these new labs is a collaborative effort involving Cedar Point, Neabsco, and Innovation staff. The principals from Innovation and Neabsco have been working closely with Cedar Point to replicate their successful model, including training staff and equipping the labs. In addition to hosting field trips, the labs will serve as dynamic teaching spaces for students enrolled at Neabsco and Innovation.

The new labs will follow the successful model of Cedar Point, featuring hands-on, project-based learning activities. These experiences are designed to engage students in engineering and problem-solving challenges, aligning with key science objectives in Virginia’s Standards of Learning. Specifically, the labs will focus on fourth and fifth grade science and engineering standards, using technologies such as Arduino microcontrollers, Bee Bots, and Micro:bit, along with a variety of craft and recyclable materials.

Partnerships with organizations like Qualcomm, Virginia Tech, Micron, and SPARK, the education foundation for PWCS, will continue to support the STEM labs, providing resources and expertise. Qualcomm will play a key role in training staff for the field trip programs, ensuring that the experience is consistent across all three locations.

The expansion of the STEM labs aligns with PWCS’ broader mission to cultivate a strong foundation in STEM for all students. The initiative is part of a multiyear plan to provide innovative learning opportunities and to build the core skills outlined in Virginia’s Profile of a Graduate.

Williamson summarized the importance of the new labs, “Opening the door to STEM-related career paths for our students starts by igniting a passion for doing these kinds of projects.”

As the labs open for field trips in the second semester, PWCS will be providing expanded opportunities and positioning students as leaders in STEM education, ensuring that students across the district have access to the resources they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.