CENTER CYCLONE CREATION STATION: A blend of literacy and innovation
The much-anticipated Center Cyclone Creation Station officially opened Dec. 17th during a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house attended by District officials, Mayfield Village Mayor Brenda Bodnar, students, staff and parent supporters.
Principal Kate Rateno and a committee of staff members formed the Library Renovation Team last spring to enhance and expand learning opportunities for students at the elementary school in grades K-5.
"Our vision for this space was to create a place where students take risks, problem-solve, imagine, create, explore and celebrate innovation," Principal Rateno said.
The traditional library has been transformed into a space that offers a blend of literacy and innovation with the creation of six learning stations: Reading Center, Art Center, Kindness Corner, Technology Center, Lego Center and Engineering Center. The "creation stations" are surrounded by children's books and transitional seating to explore Ozobots and Cubelets or select a book and a bean bag chair.
"There is so much creativity and learning that has been sparked by this space," Mrs. Rateno said. "It has been a moving experience to watch the transformation of our space and to see our students' 'eye smiles' as they experience these creation stations for the first or the 15th time. We have sparked their learning."
The stations offer the following learning opportunities:
Reading Nook: Choose a book. Read by yourself or with a friend. Share what you read
Art Center: Create a 3-Dimensional masterpiece on your own or with friend
Kindness Corner: Play a game, read a story, make a card or create a project that helps to promote kindness
Technology Center: Explore with a Chromebook, Ozobotos and Cubelets
Lego Station: Build from plans or design your own project using Legos
Engineering Corner: Design, create and explore using K'nex, Qubits or Keva Blocks
"The learning here is open-ended," Mrs. Rateno said. "The possibilities for the students are endless. It really moves the needle on the Innovation Hour concept. Instead of our students collaborating, communicating and creating once a month, now they have these learning experiences weekly. This is how their world works."
A special thanks is extended to the parent supporters of the Center School Association who funded the supplies for the creation stations.