CMSD NEWS BUREAU

10/20/2021

Students at Hannah Gibbons-STEM School can now experience hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math in a new STEM lab.

The space, once a computer lab, is decorated with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ colors of wine and gold and is filled with 3D printers, robotics equipment, Legos and more, thanks to the Cavaliers and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

The Cavs and Goodyear are providing a half-million dollars for STEM labs across CMSD. Hannah Gibbons is the first of four STEM labs this school year, following refurbishing of a lab at the East Professional Center that opened in 2019, before the start of the pandemic.

“This is really going to let these students play with STEM with their hands,” said Sarah Wallace, CMSD FAB Lab coordinator. “A lot of the children have seen robotics, but they didn’t get to see it in their classroom until now.”

Cavs announcer Ahmaad Crump, members of the Cavs dance team and Cavs mascot Sir C.C. were on hand to celebrate the opening of the lab.

Students wasted no time experimenting with all the tools.

“I am very happy I am learning all this new stuff,” said Ronnell, a seventh grader.

Joni Fitch, the Global Community Engagement manager at Goodyear, told the students to use the space to learn, explore and dream. 

“One of the things that we do at Goodyear is try to inspire students to be in the STEM field,” she said. “We need STEM employees, so we want to make sure we are growing the next generation.

Orchard STEM School will receive the next lab, which is expected to include multimedia equipment for podcasts.

The Cavs and Goodyear also donated $500,000 for STEM education to the Akron public schools.