Students at Stephanie Tubbs Jones PreK-8 School now have state-of-the-art technology to enhance their learning.

The school’s Verizon Innovative Learning Lab, which officially opened Nov. 15, is filled with virtual reality equipment, 3D printers and other technology.

“This way we can start more STEM programing and work with design thinking projects to innovate and create,” said Carin Woolley, the lab mentor.

 Joseph, who is in the seventh grade, is excited to use the 3D printer.

“It is unreal,” he said.

Ten CMSD schools now have or will have a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. Besides Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Almira, Wade Park  and Miles Park schools have labs. A lab is scheduled to open at Whitney M. Young School in early 2023.

CMSD partners on the labs with Verizon and other organizations, including the Heart of America and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University.

Heart of America assists in creating the state-of-the-art space. The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute provides a project-based curriculum and training for the teachers.