Short Line Elementary Transforms Learning with its New Innovation Lab and Art Room
Short Line Elementary School in Reader, West Virginia, recently celebrated the opening of its newly remodeled Art Room and Innovation Lab, thanks in part to an Innovation Grant from Inventionland Education.
This cutting-edge space, designed to inspire creativity and critical thinking, marks Short Line as the first school in West Virginia to bring an Innovation Lab to their students and teachers.
The project has been met with excitement and pride within the school community. Principal Dr. Eric Emch stated, “This final design is absolutely amazing. It’s bright, it’s colorful—it allows for innovation. It gives students a place to really think outside the box, to even throw the box away and start with a brand-new idea, and the space that it is, it really makes them open to new ideas and allows the creativity just to flow.”
This creative environment is a significant upgrade, designed to be a place where students feel inspired to explore, imagine, and innovate.
Superintendent Cassie Porter echoed the transformative impact the new space has had on the students and teachers alike, saying, “The impact that this will have with our students and teachers is definitely a refreshed space and a new life wanting to come to school.”
The redesigned area energizes students and fosters an environment where critical thinking and problem-solving skills can flourish.
The journey began last November when Dr. Emch received a grant application opportunity from Inventionland Education. “My first thought was, what is Inventionland?” he shared. “So, I did some research. Well, Inventionland is a multimillion-dollar company that specializes in creating spaces that spark creativity and innovation.”
Dr. Emc saw the potential for his students, pursued the opportunity, and was awarded the grant.
The vision has become a reality, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. “Every single person was absolutely mind-blown at how amazing the space looked,” Dr. Emch remarked.
Superintendent Porter proudly stated, “I feel amazingly proud of Short Line School and their administration for going through the process and getting an Innovation Lab for their students. I think it’s going to set them up to do wonderful things in their lifetimes.”
Inventionland Education is honored to support Short Line Elementary’s commitment to innovative education while helping shape tomorrow’s thinkers and creators.