The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
CYCLONE CREATION STATION ALL THE RAGE
Vision incorporates a ‘blend of literacy and innovation,’ Center Elementary officials say
In the traditional sense, school isn’t supposed to be fun.
But don’t tell that to the more than two dozen fifthgraders during “library time” at Center Elementary in Mayfield Village.
Feverishly working to assemble, construct and create motorized mini-cars, pintsized moving robots, and soccer balls, among other teambuilding projects, the school’s renovated library, now known as Center Cyclone Creation Station, could easily have been misconstrued as a recreational toy mechanics workshop.
Touted as a “blend of literacy and innovation,” the Creation Station officially opened last month, but it is still being launched in several phases, allowing observation, designing, planning, efficacy and feedback from staff, parents, and K-5 students themselves.
Revisions have also been made throughout the process as students have continued to learn in the center, said Gifted Intervention Specialist Lisa Jenkins.
The traditional library has been transformed into a space that now offers creative outlets centered around six learning stations: Reading Center; Art Center; Kindness Corner; Technology Center; Lego Center; and Engineering Center.
The individual stations are enclosed by numerous books and transitional seating to explore, for example, Ozobots and Cubelets, in addition to selecting a book and a bean bag chair.
Center Principal Kate Rateno and a committee of staff members formed the Library Renovation Team last spring to enhance and expand learning opportunities for students.
“Our vision for this space was to create a place where students take risks, problem-solve, imagine, create, explore and celebrate STEM innovation,” she said. “There is so much creativity and learning that has been sparked by this space.
“It has been a moving experience to watch the transformation of our space and to see our students’ ‘eye smiles’ as they experience these stations for the first or the 15th time. We have sparked their learning.”
The idea for Creation Station surfaced when, in 2017, Center was nominated and named a Hall of Fame School by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, based in Columbus.
The recognition program allowed Rateno to be part of the board that judges other schools, where, on site visits, she saw unique revisions of several library spaces.
Lacking adequate extra space in the school building to create an ideal lab, and initially uncertain as where to place it, Center ultimately converted its existing library to house the specialized learning spaces.
Now, students attend Creation Station once a week, with some classes attending twice a week. Open-ended task cards at each station provide guidance and choice, stimulating additional ideas for new projects.
Teachers can also schedule extra time in the station as well, Rateno said.
“This has been a tremendous success because of the collaborative efforts
of the committee, our team of volunteers and the Center School Association, comprised of parent supporters, whose generous donations of various STEM items have also assisted us in making this happen,” she added.
Kelly Pattison, co-president of Center School Association, said her daughter, Kelsey, loves the new addition to the school’s library.
“It’s to the point where she wakes up in the morning and says, ‘Mom, it’s Creation Station Day,’” Pattison said. “It’s very exciting and the reality is the world has changed. The kids want more and they expect more and they’re around it all the time, so I think this has just added to what they’re going to be growing up with. And, it’s just fun and handson. I can only say positive things.”
While the fifth-grade class bustled throughout the revamped library at their respective spaces, Olivia Clark, Cameron Lewis and RJ Prosen continued to work on getting their motorized vehicle operational.
“We’re learning a lot, and it’s cool and fun because we get to do a lot of different things, not just one thing,” Olivia said, putting a ramp together for the car. “I like the Engineering (Center) area. We can’t wait to try more stations.”