Students step into The Sandbox for unique learning

(Above) Eighth grader Keslsie McKibben shared her love of Legos with visually imparied Justine Young.-Reporter photo.

Make.  Believe.

Emily Hill, Technology Integration Coach for Clear Lake Schools, says those two words sum up a new space this year at the school.  Formerly used as a computer lab, “The Sandbox,” a classroom space located adjacent from the school’s media center, offers students a land of challenges.  There’s everything from K’NEX and Legos stations, to Erector sets and computer devices, all waiting for students to build, engineer, program and design.

It’s a space where’s there’s no wrong answers and no assignments— just the tools to create and challenges to inspire.

“We started this in October and it has been an awesome feeling to see so many students signing up, wanting to spend time in here before, during and after school,” said Hill.  So far this school year about 70 students have been choosing their own adventures in “The Sandbox.”

This school year, Sandbox time has been divided into 12 rounds, each consisting of 10 school days.  Nearing the midway of its rounds, students so far have continually impressed and amazed Hill with their creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication, she said.  They have created fashion using newsprint, challenged each other to create the

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scariest roller coaster ride using KNEX, built a race car from an Erector set, characters from Legos, and programmed objects to navigate mazes.

Para-educator Lisa Lacey thought up some of the challenges for students spending time in The Sandbox and the ideas have continued to flow through other staff members and even the students themselves.

“It’s cool to hear kids talking about what they’re doing in The Sandbox and the fact that they want to spend time in there challenging themselves,” said Hill.  As the school year comes to a close in May, “The Sandy Awards” will be held to celebrate Sandbox success stories, she said.

Last week Middle School students had the chance to share the Sandbox experience with special guests.  Eight students from the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired were partnered with a CLMS student to work on one of the maker space Sandbox Challenges.

Hill, along with CLMS Principal Steve Kwikkel, were making a presentation about The Sandbox at their school at a tech conference in Cedar Falls when the connection was made with the Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Jay Colsch, regional service coordinator for the visitors, said he was impressed by the Clear Lake students and their ability to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the skills they have developed in the Sandbox.

Eighth graders Kelsie McKibben and Amber Colunga introduced Justine Yang to Legos Friday morning.  The students helped her to sort, then fit pieces together.

“I’m trying to build the tallest tower— it’s harder than you think,” said Yang, as her tower stretched past the four-foot mark.

Logan Humpal, a freshman from Calmar, displayed his auctioneering skills as his partner, Alexis Stoychoff, recorded his banter and on the other side of the room 10-year-old Dylan Carter was excited to give power to a race car he dubbed “Lightning McQueen” with seventh graders Sydney Williams and Paige Rolling.

“My favorite part is just seeing our kids sharing the challenges— just listening to the kids talk to our guests is amazing,” Hill said.  “It takes their learning to another level.”

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