Charlotte Jewish Day School Receives $245,000 Grant To Build a S.T.E.A.M. Lab

The Charlotte Jewish News, October 2022

By Gale Osborne

Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS) was recently awarded a $245,000 Legacy Learning Lab Challenge Grant for “Renovation for Innovation.” This grant will allow CJDS to create a dedicated S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning space that meets the needs and challenges of 21st-century education and programming. This design, engineering, and innovation lab will be the cornerstone of the expansion for grades 6, 7 and 8, creating a state-of-the-art programming focus for students.

The design and engineering lab will promote collaboration and global competencies in an environment where students can address real-world challenges. Following a student-centered approach to learning that gives them input on what and how they learn, our students will be empowered to be active participants in their education. In this new space, they will brainstorm, research, design, and build their own solutions to problems, preparing them for future educational and career challenges.

“At CJDS, our focus is on what is best for the child,” said Mariashi Groner, CJDS head of school. “Student-led learning has shown to engage students and provide the opportunity for important problem-solving skills, relying on communication and collaboration and the process of discovery. We have been work- ing toward this goal over the past few years, but this grant will enable us to have the appropriate dedicated space available to our staff and students following a special curriculum or to support special projects or interests as they arise. We are honored that the Legacy Foundation has the confidence in our school and our vision to entrust us with a grant of this size.”

The lab will be on the third floor of the current CJDS building. It will be an adaptable, collaborative space with mobile desks and chairs as well as 3-D printers, robotics, and tools for grades 4-8.

A strong STEAM program requires a strong STEAM teacher. We are pleased to welcome Rick Isham to our CJDS team. Rick was hired to lead the science curriculum for grades 3-6 as our first full-time STEAM instructor. He joins CJDS with 19 years of teaching experience with expertise in STEAM education and will lead the design, engineering, and innovation programming.

The grant, which provides funds for both a rigorous planning process and construction, must be matched by our community. We already have several committed donors excited to help CJDS achieve this cutting-edge addition to our already exemplary education. Opportunities are still available if interested. The goal is to have the room ready for the start of the 2023 school year.

CJDS currently serves students in grades TK-6, growing to TK-7 in 2023. For more information, contact gosborne@ cjdschool.org.