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Kugelman Innovation Lab uses design-thinking principles to develop 21st century skills in local students PENSACOLA, Florida – On Tuesday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m., Episcopal Day School hosted an official ribbon cutting to celebrate and showcase the hard work that has gone into the development and expansion of the Kugelman Innovation Lab. The ceremony took place at Episcopal Day School’s 1st – 8th grade campus located at 223 North Palafox Street. The Kugelman Innovation Lab is a resource-rich space that takes a multidisciplinary approach to learning. Throughout the day, the Innovation Lab hosts STEaM classes for 1st – 8th grade students. During this class time, they design new solutions for known problems and issues that affect local and global communities. Students have complete access to technology like VEX robotics kits, a 3-D printer and scanner, one-to-one laptop access, an Infocus interactive computer, graphics tablets, and much more. By encouraging information and communications technology and literacy, EDS ultimately prepares each student for jobs in a future that is yet to be defined. Through collaborative and creative problem-solving activities that include science, technology, engineering, art, math, robotics and each child’s natural passion for hands-on learning, the Innovation Lab connects learning to life outside the classroom, creating meaningful and memorable experiences. After school, it is the workplace for Episcopal Day School’s robotics team, the RoboJags. In this space, they have the tools to imagine, plan, and build robots to compete against schools across Escambia County. Last fall, the RoboJags received awards for web design and robust design at The Emerald Coast BEST Robotics Competition hosted by the University of West Florida. In addition, the
all female RoboJags team came in first place overall in the International Robofest Competition in Pensacola. Eighth grade student and RoboJags team member Gracie Dunaway says, “EDS provides tools and all the technology that you can use to create and construct anything that your imagination desires.” Because of the generosity of the Kugelman family, students like Gracie will continue to create and construct, surrounded by all of the tools she needs to be successful. For more information about the Kugelman Innovation Lab and the many other programs at Episcopal Day School, please contact Alyssa Tucker, Director of Development, at (850) 434-6544, or visit edscc.org