Birmingham’s new eSTEM lab is among 13 innovation labs opening across Oakland County this fall.
The new space is part of a $1.8 million investment from the Public Education Foundation and Volkswagen Group of America, The Detroit News reported. Nine of the labs are in Birmingham Public Schools and four are in Southfield Public Schools.
A new era of hands-on learning
The “e” in eSTEM stands for environmental sustainability, a theme that runs through each lab’s programming, according to Birmingham Public Schools’ Weekly eNews. Students use robotics, 3D modeling and other advanced tools to explore solutions to real-world environmental challenges.
West Maple Elementary Principal Jason Pesamoska said he first dreamed of transforming an old computer lab into a modern makerspace. But the estimated $400,000 cost made it impossible to fund locally.
“I had a vision for what this could look like,” Pesamoska said. “But when I priced it out, it came in at about $400,000. I couldn’t even fundraise for that.”
When the Public Education Foundation, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Volkswagen stepped in, that vision became reality, according to the district’s announcement.
State and local leaders celebrate the launch
District leaders and students recently gathered at West Maple Elementary to celebrate the opening of the new eSTEM lab. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined district officials, Volkswagen representatives and foundation leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Gilchrist, who has an engineering background, said the labs will give Michigan students opportunities he didn’t have until college.
“Being able to be exposed to all these kinds of tools and resources, these young people are going to create extraordinary things,” Gilchrist said. “Some of them are going to invent community-changing things before they even leave school.”
Michael Stone, vice president of innovative learning for the Public Education Foundation, said the partnership aims to give students skills they can carry into any field.
“The excitement was about putting students in situations where they can engage with these tools to develop essential skills,” Stone said. “Some of these students may grow up to develop the next generation of robotics or 3D printing.”
Volkswagen’s Mario Duarte, senior director of learning, training and development, said the company believes innovation starts early. “Programs like this one help young learners turn curiosity into capability,” he said.
Students already diving in
Birmingham Public Schools officials said in the district’s Weekly eNews that the labs are already sparking excitement among students and teachers.
“I didn’t think it would be all the machines,” said fifth-grade Jenna Schwartz said of her first visit to the lab. “It’s really fun to make things.”
District officials said the eLabs will serve as models for future hands-on learning environments in elementary schools across Oakland County.
Environmental recognition for West Maple Elementary
In addition to the eLab celebration, West Maple Elementary received another major honor this month — the 2025 Michigan Green Ribbon School Award from the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
According to Birmingham Public Schools, EGLE officials visited the school to recognize its efforts in sustainability education, outdoor learning and reducing environmental impact. The department said the school’s programs help students become “environmental stewards” and connect lessons to real-world environmental issues.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/aeONYdn
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