At Westview Elementary, students in Kindergarten through 5th grade attend eLab once a week as part of their Related Arts rotation. During each 50-minute class, students engage in hands-on, project-based learning (PBL) experiences that connect directly to grade-level academic standards and classroom learning.

In eLab, students become designers, engineers, creators, and problem-solvers as they move through the design process to imagine, plan, create, test, and improve their ideas. For example, Kindergarten students begin the year by designing and building their own toys using found and recycled materials such as cardboard tubes, boxes, spools, and plastic containers. This project connects to their EL curriculum and mathematics standards while encouraging creativity and problem-solving.

Throughout their time in eLab, students also have opportunities to explore digital fabrication and STEM technologies, including 3D pens, 3D printers, laser cutters, and vinyl cutters. As students progress through the grade levels, they build upon their skills and take on increasingly complex challenges.

Each grade level also has an opportunity to share and celebrate their work during a Celebration of Learning, allowing students to showcase their projects, explain their learning, and take pride in what they have created.

In eLab, students don't just learn about STEM—they use what they are learning to create, solve problems, and bring their ideas to life.