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Innovation Center

OVERVIEW

The Innovation Center includes a robotics lab, computer/CAD lab, design studio, and areas for industrial, advanced, and basic STEM,
along with several flexible lab spaces.		  
    
 

 

Center Grove repurposed the former maintenance building into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) lab to support student coursework in grades K-12. The building is located on the district’s main campus, southeast of Center Grove High School.

The center provides a student-centered learning environment with space for a variety of student experiences including:

  • Project-based learning
  • Community partnerships
  • High-level problem solving
  • Innovative collaborative learning
  • Cutting-edge technology

The Innovation Center also serves as the home to the award-winning Red Alert Robotics team, which is an extra-curricular STEM club.

The Center Grove Innovation Center is a hub for 21st Century learning in grades K-12, allowing all students the opportunity to visit with their classes during the school year. Center Grove's STEM coach works with teachers at each grade level to develop lessons which align with curriculum standards. All students in grades K-8 will visit the Innovation Center for lessons during the 2016-17 school year.

CURRICULUM

Center Grove High School currently has a STEM curriculum in place through Project Lead The Way which includes bio-medical and pre-engineering courses. Students can also attend Central Nine Career Center to pursue certifications in various STEM areas.

In January 2016, Center Grove brought together experts in fields related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for a newly formed STEM Advisory Task Force. This group helped to inform the district’s Strategic Planning process and provide an industry perspective on the educational needs of the future. The STEM Advisory Task Force met three times to provide ideas, feedback, and insight on the future of STEM and the potential directions for STEM education. Information gathered was shared with the Strategic Planning Committee and other planning groups within the corporation.

“I’m enthusiastic that the school corporation is interested in creating this STEM Task Force,” said Conrad Wong, Lilly research advisor and Center Grove parent. “Parents in the STEM industry can give real life feedback on the skill sets needed in the STEM fields."

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY

Construction of the Center Grove Innovation Center was divided into two phases. The first phase involved renovation of the existing facility. The second phase included the addition of the collaboration areas and STEM Labs. Both phases were completed for the start of the 2016-17 school year.

 

September 24, 2015 - STEM Report to the Center Grove Board of School Trustees

 

 

 

 January 5, 2016 - Innovation Center Update to
Center Grove teachers

 

  

FACILITY COST

The Center Grove Board of School Trustees approved a bid from J.M. Rowland Construction in the amount of $1,999,000 for the project. Funding for that bid will be obtained through a General Obligation bond. In August 2015, the Board approved a recommendation by CSO Architects to modify the project and exclude some items that could eliminated without compromising the integrity or original design of the project. These changes reduced the project cost by $99,175, which brought the cost down to $1,899,825. 

 

ENDRESS+HAUSER DONATES $10,000 FOR STEM EDUCATION

In August, Endress+Hauser, Inc. made a generous donation of $10,000 to the Center Grove Education Foundation to help fund the development of STEM programs in Center Grove, including the new Center Grove Innovation Center, Center Grove’s award-winning Red Alert Robotics Team, and other programs.

“It is critical for employers and leaders in the community to partner with our educators and the myriad of adult influencers to encourage the highest quality STEM education,” said Brandyn Ferguson, vice president of human resources, Endress+Hauser, Inc.