A Mobile Lab Borne of Joint Effort
School Administrator, May 2020

The Mobile Innovation Lab visits elementary schools in Baltimore County, Md., to spark student interest in programming, robotics and computer science.

In a large district like ours, with 115,000 students and almost 10,000 teachers, funding for instructional resources will vary. Some schools are able to purchase innovative learning technologies while others may need to allocate funds to support other school programs or services.

To create equitable learning opportunities for all students in Baltimore County, Md., central-office funds were allocated to renovate a retired school bus into what we call a Mobile Innovation Lab. The lab houses tools and resources for hands-on learning experiences that can be seamlessly integrated into any subject and allow students to think creatively and innovate. A resource teacher manages the lab and its programs.

The Mobile Innovation Lab provides elementary school residencies that typically last one week and are designed to spark interest in computational thinking, programming, robotics and computer science. The learning opportunities are incorporated into the curriculum of each class. The goal is that each school develop and offer similar learning opportunities for students long after the lab moves on to another campus. 

The lab is a shining example of the collaborative planning and actions of the district’s departments of innovative learning, information technology and transportation. In the planning stages, new technologies had to be evaluated for use in instruction. Activities were designed for each grade level that can be modified to suit the needs of each class. A lending library and follow-up support by the resource teacher is available throughout the school year for schools unable to fund the purchase of their own materials. 

The Department of Information Technology played a crucial role in approving hardware and software for the mobile lab. During its creation, division staff designed a computer network including mobile, cellular Wi-Fi and printing capabilities. A user account was created that allows the district’s devices to connect to the lab’s network. A sound support system is available in the lab and through a teaching station outside.

The technology and instructional divisions continue to consult as new innovations in technology are considered for the mobile lab.