FUTURE LABS
“In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
When we couldn't take the bus out to work with kids because of a global pandemic, we built a little piece of the bus into our middle schools. We designed and built 9 hands-on career and college exploration labs we call:
FUTURE LABS.
DISCOVER, EXPLORE, CONNECT
The Future Labs Mission is to encourage students to DISCOVER, EXPLORE, and CONNECT their learning to their goals for high school and beyond.
This investment of over 1 million dollars represents a significant commitment from our district and community, with the goal of revitalizing our middle school experience to be more hands-on, engaging, and relevant.
DISCOVER
When students returned to in person instruction in the Fall of 2021, they had the opportunity to choose from 20 different hands-on activities that explore careers and skills that range from Structural Engineering, to Veterinary Technology, to Basic Construction, and even Game Design. Each activity includes hands-on skill building, research, and an exploration of careers where these skills might be put to use.
EXPLORE
Students explore each module at their own pace. When they finish one module, they choose another and start a new exploration.
CONNECT
Each middle school customized their lab, picking activities that engage their students, AND are connected to the CTE programs at the high schools that their students will attend.
Pictured here is Kristin Keppner, a graduate of the BSD Auto Tech CTE program. She is now a line mechanic for Broadway Toyota in Portland, and will soon be a master line mechanic. Click on the video below to learn more about her journey.
SUMMER SCHOOL MUSIC: RECONNECTION THROUGH CREATION
In an effort to reconnect our students back into schools, the FutureBus team helped to create engaging summer programs. One of these was the Awaken Music Project (A.M.P.), which was designed to inspire all students to explore sound creation and making through explorations of: electric guitar, electric bass, analog synthesizers, digital keyboards, grooveboxes, samplers, electronic drums, mixers, and ukelele building.
OPPORTUNITY TO OUTCOMES
The Summer A.M.P. program was such a positive experience that it has now become an exciting class offered at Aloha High School during the school day. called: Instrumental Music Studio. These classes are packed with students exploring the world of music and sound, and there are even after school music clubs forming. The program will expand next year to include music production and more group opportunities!
Pictured here are students from Greenway Elementary School exploring control voltage sounds with a Theremin.
Special thanks to: First Tech Credit Union, Beaverton School District, Coava Coffee, Home Depot, Dick's Country Dodge, and the Beaverton Education Foundation.