New Bulldog Innovation Lab opens doors at CHS

Before and after photos of the Bulldog Innovation Lab courtesy of Canton High School

Canton High School’s new Bulldog Innovation Lab has officially opened its doors on a pilot basis following a multi-year renovation effort led by the school’s science and visual arts departments.

Formerly housing a metal/wood shop, the new space was designed to function as a cutting-edge laboratory for “inter-departmental, collaborative, solution-centered educational research and development.”

As noted by the design team, “We hope to transform the educational atmosphere for the students of CHS into a creative, hands-on, project-based learning environment that meets the existing and future needs of the Canton community.”

School Superintendent Derek Folan remembers the space when he became CHS principal back in 2012. At the time, Folan said it was filled with tools and equipment for woodworking and metal fabrication, signs of another era. With the Canton schools moving toward a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum model, administrators and teachers began to consider new possibilities for the space, with a focus on collaboration and the incorporation of new technology.

“The old shop spaces were outdated and underutilized,” noted Tricia Palmer, PreK-12 visual arts coordinator. “We needed to redefine the learning that we could inspire in the space.”

While the idea of renovating the former shop had been on administrators’ wish list for several years, Erica Fitzgerald, chair of the CHS science department, said substantive discussions began during the 2018-19 school year. The following year, the project received a boost when CHS engineering teacher Katie Healey applied for and received a grant from STEM Mass Ed to start a Project Lead the Way course pathway at CHS. The grant provided approximately $36,000 in funding over a three-year period.

The Canton School Committee also stepped up with additional capital investments, authorizing $78,000 in funding over two years to support the needed physical upgrades and purchase of new furniture and equipment.

The renovation itself, according to Palmer, was a major undertaking and involved removing old equipment and cleaning out the space, updating the HVAC, adding Wi-Fi access points, repairing and painting the walls, replacing ceiling tiles, and re-finishing the concrete floor.

“The maintenance team did a fantastic job with this work,” she said. “The new furniture, equipment, and technology-based learning tools have brought new purpose to this space.”

The design team researched examples of other educational lab spaces to help them formulate a vision for the new Bulldog Innovation Lab.

“Bridgewater State University allowed us access to their Innovation Lab — they have three,” noted CHS visual arts teacher Stephen Gaul. “Sharing the photos of this space, and noting the equipment they have available, enhanced the team’s vision and planning for equipment, design, and the goal of cross-disciplinary learning.”

Now mostly finished, the new Bulldog Innovation Lab is being utilized by several classes this semester, including Exploring Technology, Construction & Design, PLTW Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, Theater Design & Production, and Sculpture.

“In the future, we hope to offer Engineering Design, CADD, Robotics, Design Build, and additional art classes,” Fitzgerald said. “We also hope to open the space for any class needing to have space for projects or creative learning opportunities.”

Fitzgerald said there is one remaining capital request included in the FY24 budget to fund the purchase of additional equipment and materials, including movable white boards, soft furniture, a laptop cart for CADD and 3D printing, color printers, a table saw and other tools.

Folan said he has been thrilled with the results thus far. “It has exceeded my expectations,” he said. “We received great input from the staff and students, as well as from Josh Vogel (former CHS assistant principal and now CPS data and analytics manager). Also, a shout-out to the town and School Committee for financially supporting it.”

He also sees the Innovation Lab as a springboard for envisioning new learning spaces at the Galvin Middle School, which is in the early stages of a planned renovation/rebuild under the direction of the Mass. School Building Authority.

“We are seeing a new vision of design space to meet the new needs of instruction for staff and students,” noted Folan.

CHS Principal Jeff Sperling loves the flexibility and pliability of the new space. “It can be an office environment, a collaborative space, a creative space,” he said. “It could be for jewelry making, fabric making, a design space. We are just scratching the surface. It is a landing spot for other classes such as U.S. History, small and large group meetings; Zoom meetings and interactive presentations.”

Fitzgerald said the science department is excited about the potential of the new lab. “It is great to have a space that allows students to do some real-world work in a safe environment,” she said. “We hope to be able to grow both the room and the associated programs once we are fully up and running.”

Gaul said the recent launch of the pilot uses has also sparked a lot of student interest, with many inquiring how they can take a class in the lab. “We are far enough along in the process that this current semester feels like a beta run for the space,” he said. “We are still adding equipment and furniture. We are figuring out the flow and ways to incorporate the technology. The new 3D printer is now operational and the large touch screens offer a new way of student interaction. The communication of the team has been a key component to getting this right for our students.”

What especially excites Palmer about the new lab is the collaboration among departments that it helps promote. “Each department brings different possibilities for the use of the space,” she said. “That cross-pollination of ideas is helping to spark new opportunities for learning in the Innovation Lab.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 21 2023. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.