Washington Elementary thinks outside the bus for new learning lab

This story first appeared in STEM in Iowa 2024, an annual special section distributed in The Gazette that provides an in-depth look at how this educational pathway is having an impact in the classroom as well as in future workforce pipelines.

Washington Elementary School’s new learning lab looks a little different than the traditional classroom.

The extended learning program at the school in Mount Vernon was lacking room for students to collaborate. Then-instructor Susannah Maddock imagined a unique solution that would make Ms. Frizzle proud. She proposed converting a decommissioned school bus into a learning lab.

“She didn’t really have a designated space to see kids in. So it kind of came up as a suggestion from some teachers in the hallway just starting a conversation about how do we find that space,” said Kari Martin, Washington Elementary Extended Learning Program teacher. “Someone mentioned, ‘You need a magic school bus.’”

The learning lab gives the program a space for about 10 students to work together on group projects such as designing and building miniature golf holes like they did this year. There is also a deck attached to the back end that can be used for projects, reading and gathering.

The space is not restricted to use by ELP students. Martin said all students and a number of classes have made use of it.

Maddock applied for a grant through the Iowa STEM BEST program and, to some surprise, Washington Elementary received it in 2022. The $40,000 grant covered the purchase of the bus and the tools and materials needed to turn it into a destination for learning.

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Maddock transitioned into the role of middle school ELP teacher, and Martin became the ELP teacher for Washington Elementary School. With the new job came the responsibility of seeing the learning lab realized.

“There really couldn’t be a better teacher for this type of setting,” said Jess Fitzpatrick, Washington Elementary behavior interventionist. “She came into this and it was, ‘you need to finish it.’ She has taken it on with such grace and with such creativity and excitement.”

Martin looked to her fellow faculty members and her students to make it happen.

Mount Vernon High School students helped kick off the construction process by gutting the bus and removing its engine. Elementary students helped lay the flooring and have some of their first hands-on experiences with power tools.

“They just couldn’t believe we were letting them touch the drill,” Martin said. “It was super fun.”

Jeff Weissenberger of Weiss Home Improvement in Hiawatha helped procure donated materials for the project and assisted in construction, building stairs and an ADA-compliant entrance.

Building began in fall 2022 and was completed when the deck was finished in September 2023.

Washington Elementary’s resident do-it-yourselfer, Fitzpatrick, became Martin’s go-to to conceptualize the design of the lab.

“She was actually the one who ended up heading the whole project as far as designing and helping with ordering materials,” Martin said.

Fitzpatrick said principal Kate Stanton gave her the “green light” to team up with Martin on the project.

There was an emphasis on flexibility in the planning process. They opted to keep things like seating, desk space and chalkboards movable, rather than bolted down. It gives Martin and students the opportunity to shift the layout to best suit their activities.

Fitzpatrick brought to the table her experience from building homes with Americorp and designing the floor plan for her parents’ home.

“It was really beneficial, even for the students I was supporting,” Fitzpatrick said. “Oftentimes they’re students who need a little more support. I was able to connect with these kids and have a special time with them doing something unique.”

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As the unique project came together, Martin and Fitzpatrick continued finding solutions to practical hurdles, such as insulating the bus without sacrificing headroom. High school students were called upon again to power wash the underside of the bus and insulate it with spray foam.

The mild winter allowed Washington Elementary to use the learning lab for most of the school year, aside from some of the coldest days of the year.

“It’s provided such a collaborative space to hold those groups. They were super excited,” Martin said.

The learning lab is also an opportunity for students to learn in a different way, Fitzpatrick said. Hands-on projects, like building the lab itself, allow them to gain new experiences and discover new skills.

“Once you go down the path of thinking about learning differently, the bus facilitates that very nicely,” Fitzpatrick said. “The biggest takeaway for me is that reminder that kids don’t have to sit behind a desk and fill out a worksheet to learn or show that they know how to do something.”