A Space Designed for Innovation, STEAM, and Project-based Learning

The Innovation Center features a multi-purpose room equipped with dry-erase light panels, maker machines, and collaborative seating areas. In addition, a dedicated green screen video production and editing room provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore modern technology and creative expression. What makes this transformation even more remarkable is that the setting, a 100-year-old district office building, has been completely reinvented into a vibrant hub for exploration and discovery.

Dr. Anitia Rice, Superintendent of Lincoln Elementary School District 156, emphasized the vision behind the project: “We want our young learners to experience STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) in a stimulating, non-traditional environment. We also want to introduce our students to early career exploration, so that they can grow up in a world of possibilities.” This vision reflects the district’s commitment to providing its PreK through 5th-grade students with hands-on, project-based learning that goes far beyond the traditional classroom.

Community Excitement and Student Engagement

As attendees walked through the newly unveiled space, a sense of wonder filled the air. Parents expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities their children would now have, while students eagerly imagined the projects and possibilities that awaited them. Teachers and staff also shared in the excitement, recognizing how the Innovation Center would open new doors for interactive and engaging learning.

The collaborative effort between administrators, school board members, and educators was key to bringing this vision to life. By repurposing existing space, the district demonstrated both creativity and resourcefulness in achieving its goals.

Designed in Partnership with Inventionland Education

The Innovation Center was made possible through a partnership with Inventionland Education, a leader in creating imaginative, hands-on learning environments. Known for their award-winning Innovation Labs® and applied STEM curriculum, Inventionland Education has worked with schools across North America to reimagine traditional learning spaces. Their work is often featured in national publications and on the television show Tomorrow’s World Today, which airs on the Science and Discovery Channels.

“Education is changing, and student engagement is more important than ever,” said George Davison, Founder of Inventionland Education. “We’re inspired every day by the transformations we help facilitate, and working with the Lincoln Elementary School District 156 and their stakeholders was one of the highlights of our summer.”

Looking Ahead

The Innovation Center at Lincoln Elementary is more than just a new space. It represents a shift in how education can be delivered. With tools that foster creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving, students are being prepared not only for academic success but also for the future careers they may one day pursue.

For the community of Calumet City, this new Innovation Center is a symbol of progress, imagination, and possibility. As students step into this vibrant space, they are stepping into a world where innovation begins early, and the future is theirs to shape.

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Inventionland Education is transforming schools across America by creating immersive Innovation Labs®, redefining what a classroom, STEM center, media center, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) space can be. These labs go beyond traditional learning environments, turning them into dynamic, hands-on spaces where students actively engage in problem-solving, creativity, and real-world innovation.

Beyond the Traditional Classroom: A New Approach to Learning

The traditional classroom setup, with rows of desks and static whiteboards, often limits creativity and collaboration. Inventionland Education takes a different approach by designing immersive spaces that spark curiosity and ignite the creative process. These Innovation Labs® incorporate:

• Themed Learning Environments – Schools can transform a regular classroom into an innovation hub, a futuristic lab, or a high-tech STEAM workshop that stimulates students’ imagination.
• Hands-on Inventing & Prototyping – Leveraging the Inventionland K-12 applied STEM curriculum, students use materials like cardboard, 3D printers, and electronics to bring their inventions or innovations to life, making learning tangible.
• Collaborative Workspaces – Open, interactive areas encourage teamwork, mirroring real-world innovation hubs found in companies like Inventionland.
• Career Exploration and Skills Development – From digital design projects to prototyping and programming, students get valuable exposure to future-ready skills.

Why Innovation Labs® Matter in Education

Engagement is one of the biggest challenges in modern education. Many students struggle with passive learning models focusing on memorization rather than real-world application. Innovation Labs® shift the focus to:

• Active Learning: Instead of sitting through lectures, students are actively experimenting, designing, and solving problems.
• Creativity & Critical Thinking: Students develop essential skills for the future workforce by tackling open-ended challenges.
• STEM & Beyond: While these labs excel in STEM education, they also integrate art, business, and entrepreneurship, preparing students for diverse career paths.

Transforming STEM Centers, Media Centers, and CTE Spaces

Schools often struggle with underutilized media centers and outdated CTE spaces. By incorporating an Innovation Lab®, these spaces become hubs of invention and exploration. Whether it’s a STEM center filled with robotics and maker machines, a media center redesigned for digital storytelling, or a CTE space supporting hands-on trade skills, Inventionland Education ensures that every lab is customized to fit a school’s vision and needs.

The Real-World Impact of Innovation Labs®

Many schools across the U.S. have already adopted Inventionland’s Innovation Labs®, witnessing a remarkable shift in student engagement and enthusiasm for learning. Teachers report that students who were once disengaged are now thriving in a hands-on, project-based environment. These spaces also encourage cross-disciplinary learning, combining science, engineering, design, and business development into one seamless educational experience.

Inventionland Education’s Innovation Labs® aren’t just classrooms but incubators for future inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers. By reinventing what a learning space can be, they are paving the way for a new generation of innovators who will shape the world.

Bring an Innovation Lab® to Your School

If your school is ready to take learning to the next level, Inventionland Education can help design and implement a customized Innovation Lab®. These spaces are more than just rooms—they are launchpads for creativity, exploration, and future success.

Discover how your school can join the movement and transform learning with an immersive Innovation Lab® today. 

We are also offering Innovation Grants that can help offset some of the costs for bringing this into your school or district.

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Inventionland Education stands out in this celebration with its unique approach. The Applied STEM Innovation Curriculum promotes literacy and integrates STEM concepts in a way that is engaging, practical, and impactful.

Inventionland Education’s curriculum is not just about theory. It’s about practical, hands-on STEM learning. Students don’t just learn about STEM concepts; they create their own inventions or innovations, making abstract concepts tangible and relatable.

One of the critical elements of this curriculum is the emphasis on collaborative work. Students are organized into small groups, fostering teamwork and collective problem-solving. This group dynamic makes learning more interactive and mirrors real-world work environments where collaboration and communication are crucial.

Through this teamwork, students enhance their ability to work effectively with others, a skill highly valued by future employers.

In addition to technical skills, Inventionland Education strongly emphasizes developing critical soft skills, including creativity, communication, and critical thinking.

By designing and presenting their inventions, students refine their ability to articulate ideas, defend their choices, and receive constructive feedback.

This experience is invaluable as it prepares them for future academic and professional environments where these skills are essential.

Moreover, the curriculum’s hands-on nature makes learning more engaging and meaningful. Students don’t just learn about STEM concepts in theory; they experience them in action.

This experiential learning approach helps solidify students’ understanding and makes the subject matter more relevant. It also sparks curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM fields, potentially guiding students toward future careers in these areas.

Inventionland Education’s Applied STEM Innovation Curriculum is a prime example of how integrating practical, real-world applications into education can enrich the learning experience.

By celebrating National Literacy Month through such innovative practices, Inventionland Education enhances students’ literacy and equips them with the skills needed for success in a rapidly evolving world. This approach ensures that students are prepared for the next step in their education and ready to tackle future challenges with confidence and creativity.

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