Community gathers for unveiling, ribbon-cutting of Lee Central Middle School's STEM laboratory

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BISHOPVILLE - Nearly 100 administrators, teachers, community leaders and students gathered last week for the unveiling and ribbon-cutting of Lee Central Middle School's new STEM lab.

The lab provides problem-based learning for students and opportunities for inquiry, critical thinking, risk taking and trailblazing by addressing real-world problems. No one was allowed to see its contents until the day of the unveiling. It was even a surprise to Principal Patrice Holmes.

When asked what was of most interest to her, she said, "The amount of technology and how it's structured to engage students in a variety of learning activities simultaneously and the amount of innovation in the room."

The lab is chock full of the latest in technology relating to science, engineering and design.

The more than 400 students of LCMS should be prepared for school-wide implementation to take place very soon, Holmes said.

"We are in school-wide professional learning for project-based learning, which is an absolute for enhancing STEM learning," Holmes said.

There will be training for the entire LCMS staff on the functionality of the lab, and a full-time person will be housed in the lab. There will be a designated number of STEM classes, and teachers will have an opportunity to schedule time in the lab for their students.

This experience is likely to enhance the students' worldview, equipping them to make and shape the world around them as they enter the workforce, Holmes said.

"The lab provides students access to learning experiences that they currently do not have. It will transform the educational experiences for our children in terms of innovation," Holmes said.

For additional information, contact Holmes at (803) 428-2100 or by email at holmesp@lee.k12.sc.us.