Mobile Innovation Lab
transforming a handicap accessible school bus into a state-of-the-art mobile STEM/STEAM lab coming to all DASD elementary schools October 2018
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The Downingtown Community Education Foundation’s (DCEF) Mobile Innovation Lab Project will transform a handicap accessible school bus into a state-of-the-art STEM mobile classroom that will travel to each of DASD's ten elementary schools ensuring equitable access to work with the advanced technologies and participate in unique educational experiences. Seven (7) of our ten (10) elementary schools are at a space disadvantage and don't have available dedicated space for Innovation Time. Housed within the Mobile Innovation Lab will be all the tools, materials, and instructional supports. It will have Wi-Fi connectivity, computers, robotics kits, and all other materials needed to ensure that all 6,000 K-5 students regardless of gender, race, ability, or income will gain confidence in their ability to succeed in a STEM-related field.
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Many thanks to Krapf Bus who donated a nearly new handicap accessible bus for this project. Without their support, we would not have been able to get this project rolling!
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Thanks to our sponsors so far!
West Pharmaceutical Services DNB First Lowe's Krapf Bus acac First Priority Bank First Resource Bank
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The project planning is a collaboration among DCEF, DASD administrators and educators, the Chester County IU Technical College High School administrators, educations and students, DASD school board, and area stakeholders. Funds for this $347,000 project are being raised by DCEF through grants, foundation support, special event fundraisers, corporate and individual donations. The Mobile Innovation Lab will be the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. If successful, it will serve as a low cost, equitable, and innovative solution for delivering STEM/STEAM project-based learning that could be replicated and, potentially change the way education is delivered.
The School District is supporting this endeavor and has hired East Ward teacher Brittany Schwab to be the K-5 Mobile Innovation Lab Resource Teacher. Ms. Schwab is spending the summer preparing lessons that are tied to the Downingtown Area School District curriculum in each area of Literacy and Math, as well as the ITSE, CSTA K-12 Computer Science, and NEXT Engineering Standards.
DCEF needs your help to purchase the equipment and supplies that the lab will need to make it the best it can be for our students. The Foundation welcomes donations in any amount. In fact, DCEF is offering the honor of being the first school the mobile lab visits to the school with the most participation in this fundraiser. The school with the most families who reach out and help bring this bus to all our children will be the first stop for the Mobile Innovation Lab.
Help your school be the first stop for the Mobile Innovation Lab! Please consider donating - any amount is welcomed!
If you work in a company that is interested in promoting education and innovative STEM experiences for students, please contact Jfenn@dcedf.org for more information about corporate sponsorship opportunities.
