Wyoming — In the new Production, Innovation and Technology Lab, better known as The PIT, freshmen Alyssa Sivens and Aryanna Debarux are having fun creating posters, stickers, comics and other designs using their own unique styles.
“I’ve always wanted to do stuff like this,” said Alyssa, who was busy printing an anime comic. “When I was younger I tried to make my own stickers, but it never really worked out.”
The PIT is a new classroom space where students create items with wood, fabric, paper and other materials using a Glowforge machine and other 3D printers, sublimation printers, woodworking machines and a heat press.
Think woodshop for the next generation — complete with technology and open-ended project opportunities.
Alyssa and Aryanna spend a few hours every week working on their artsy pieces, which also include designs for T-shirts, mugs and other items.
“Being able to take things and make them into something brings me joy,” Alyssa said. “I can start my own collection of different things.”
Located at Wyoming Junior High, The PIT is part of the Secondary Learning Academy, a hybrid online and in-person alternative program for seventh- through 12th-grade students who need to make up credits, or who do better in a non-traditional learning environment. Students are allowed to spend time in The PIT if they are caught up with their school work.
‘It gives me more opportunities to be hands-on with things. It gives me a chance to do something that I actually like.’
— junior Greyson Reames
District leaders and program instructors said The PIT, started this school year, has been a powerful way to draw students more into school, engaging them in projects they can do at their own pace and that they have an interest in. Students are also learning about branding and marketing.
“I feel like they want to be here a little bit more, because this stuff, you have to be here to do. You can’t do this virtually or online,” said Elise Meyer, technology integration coach. “I think they like that they can (keep) the things that they make. I would have loved this as a child; I was very into crafting and I would put this in the crafting ballpark.”
On Board with Student-Driven Projects
Technology Director Jim Nora helped design the PIT program, merging entrepreneurship-style marketing elements with Gone Boarding, a program started in 2012 by Bill Curtis, a teacher in Forest Hills Public Schools.
Throughout the space, skateboards and longboards are in various stages of production. Students learn to craft the boards from outline to final design.
“When I come in here, there are students working like crazy. The teachers are kind of just (for) oversight. They are doing it on their own,” Nora said.
Students are also making clocks, fishing lures, items with the Wyoming Wolves logo on it — things that catch their curiosity.
Junior Greyson Reames said he enjoys working on everything from fidget spinners to boards. Looking forward to time in The PIT helps him do better in school.
“It gives me more opportunities to be hands-on with things. It gives me a chance to do something that I actually like. I love working with my hands. I am very fidgety — not a sit-still person,” Greyson said. “It gives me a chance to stay caught up, because if you’re not caught up you can’t do this.”
While the PIT now serves as a space for experiential learning, the goal is for students to be able to earn elective credits for it next school year, said Michael Burde, director of secondary teaching and learning, plus the academic opportunities are many.
“They have a concept in geometry … and in real time they can go across the hall and apply skills they are learning,” he said.
Aryanna has decorated her bedroom with the stickers and posters she’s created.
“I really love doing those. I love posters and I love sticking stuff on my walls. I can make free posters now and I can just stick them on my wall and I don’t have to pay for them.”
Aryanna said she wants to be a clothing designer.
“I like the PIT because it helps me with stuff I want to do. … With posters I can design my room, with shirts I can design my clothes, and I can design water bottles.”
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