The Innovation Lab at Berkeley Hall School
At Berkeley Hall School, STEAM isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a way of thinking, building, and growing. The Innovation Lab is where science, technology, engineering, art, and math come to life in the most hands-on way possible. It’s not just a classroom—it’s a launchpad for creativity, curiosity, and the kind of real-world skills that prepare students for jobs that don’t even exist yet.
Innovation Lab: What It Offers
Imagine a space where laser cutters hum, coding projects take shape, and students are deep in the zone designing everything from robotic arms to custom-built creations out of wood, metal, plastic, and cardboard. That’s Berkeley Hall’s Innovation Lab: a cutting-edge space that blends old-school craftsmanship with high-tech tools. It’s one of the most advanced learning environments you’ll find in any elementary or middle school in Los Angeles.
Wood Working and Woodshops
Woodworking has always had a place at Berkeley Hall, and the Innovation Lab keeps that legacy alive—just with a few upgrades. Students still learn how to work with their hands, but now they’re using laser cutters alongside traditional tools like band and scroll saws. The result? Cleaner cuts, faster project turnarounds, and safer, more precise design work. They’re not just making birdhouses—they’re creating polished, purposeful pieces with a mix of art and engineering.
Encouraging Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Every session in the Innovation Lab is a chance to flex multiple muscles: mental, manual, and emotional. Students develop hand-eye coordination, patience, and persistence as they work through design challenges, troubleshoot mistakes, and celebrate those “aha!” moments when things finally click. Whether they’re crafting a functional gadget or an expressive piece of art, they’re learning how to take raw materials and shape them into something meaningful.
Not Just STEM—It’s STEAM, with a Creative Twist
This isn’t your average tech class. The Innovation Lab helps students connect core subject learning with real-life applications. Some projects lean into science and engineering, while others spotlight design thinking and artistic expression. The blend of logic and creativity helps students see how different disciplines work together to solve problems, and opens their eyes to all kinds of future possibilities.
The Shield Project: Where Legacy Meets Leadership
And speaking of tradition, eighth-graders take on a time-honored Berkeley Hall rite of passage: Shield class. Now in its 69th year, this special elective invites students to design and build a class coat of arms and write an original motto. Their creation joins decades of student-made shields displayed in Hodges Theater—a powerful reminder that every student leaves a mark, quite literally.
Why Innovation Labs Matter Now More Than Ever
In a world that’s changing faster than we can predict, Berkeley Hall’s Innovation Lab gives students more than tech skills—it gives them the mindset to adapt, create, and lead. It’s about giving young learners the tools to ask big questions, take risks, and see mistakes as part of the process.
If you’re wondering what 21st-century learning really looks like, take a peek inside Berkeley Hall’s Innovation Lab. It’s loud, lively, a little messy—and absolutely magical.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can use the Innovation Lab?
At Berkeley Hall, the Innovation Lab isn’t some secret tech lair reserved for future rocket scientists, it’s open to all elementary and middle school students ready to explore, create, and maybe make a little sawdust magic. Whether you’re a third grader with a wild imagination or an eighth grader designing your class shield, the lab is your creative playground. Students rotate through during the school week, and it’s built right into the learning experience. No secret handshake required—just curiosity, a dash of patience, and a willingness to tinker. In short: if you’re ready to build, invent, and explore, the Innovation Lab is ready for you.
- What kinds of projects do students work on?
From crafting laser-cut masterpieces to coding digital wonders, students in the Innovation Lab get to tackle all kinds of hands-on adventures. One day it’s robotics and circuits; the next, it’s woodworking with a side of design thinking. They might build a bridge, engineer a moving sculpture, or bring an original idea to life using cardboard, code, and creativity. And don’t forget Shield class, eighth graders design a class coat of arms worthy of hanging in Hodges Theater history. The projects are as varied as the students themselves, blending science, tech, art, and elbow grease into something way more fun than just a school assignment.
- Is the Innovation Lab part of regular classes or an extra activity?
Good news: you don’t need to sign up, join a club, or stay late after school to get into Berkeley Hall’s Innovation Lab, it’s part of the regular school day. Students rotate through as part of their curriculum, making innovation a core part of the learning experience, not just an extracurricular bonus. Of course, that doesn’t mean it feels like class. With laser cutters buzzing and big ideas flying, it’s more “creative playground” than “lecture hall.” So yes, it’s official school time, but it might just be the highlight of your kid’s day. Learning disguised as fun? That’s the sweet spot.
