Students Get Hands-On in State-of-the-Art Learning Spaces
Students Get Hands-On in State-of-the-Art Learning Spaces
While summertime is typically quiet for most school campuses, it was quite the opposite at The Rumson Country Day School, which was buzzing June through August with the sounds of construction and the anticipation of newly renovated facilities. The school took advantage of the summer break to embark on significant campus improvements. Now that the doors have opened for the 24-25 school year, RCDS is excited to announce the grand opening of three state-of-the-art learning spaces: an innovation lab, a newly renovated woodshop, and a brand-new library.
Library and Innovation Lab Director Lisa Fallon is excited to inspire future thinkers, creators, and problem solvers in spaces specifically dedicated to the design thinking process. “There is no project too big or too small,” said Mrs. Fallon. “If they can envision it, plan it, and prototype it, students and teachers will have the resources at their fingertips to bring their ideas to fruition.”
The innovation lab is equipped with coding robots and drones, a 3D printer, laser engraver, sublimation printer, water jet cutter, CNC machine, Cricut machines, embroidery and sewing machines along with other design and maker materials. Mrs. Fallon is eager to collaborate with classroom and specialist teachers to expand opportunities for students to use the space through interdisciplinary projects that integrate content across the curriculum.
For example, in the coming weeks, first graders will work on bringing 3D maps of the school to life in the innovation lab. Fourth graders will use graphic design software to create monochromatic self-portraits inspired by the posterized art of Shepard Fairey. Fifth graders learning about ancient cultures will design stamps which will then be engraved on wood and rubber and used to print patterns on clay and fabric. Seventh-grade students are working on a multi-step skateboard project which will require designing in the art room, engraving with the innovation lab’s CNC machine, and drilling and sanding in the woodshop.
Woodshop, a class offered at RCDS since 1928, will continue to inspire students to explore design thinking and engineering in a newly updated room where craftsmanship meets modern technology. Students are introduced to traditional woodworking tools alongside advanced equipment like a Glowforge laser cutter, scroll saws, drill press, lathes, band and table saws, a new spray paint booth, and more. The new library creates an inviting space for reading and research that complements the teaching and learning happening in the woodshop and innovation lab. Its design blends the historic charm of the school’s original architecture with a contemporary twist and provides access to quiet study areas, collaborative workspaces, and a diverse selection of books and digital resources.
"At Rumson Country Day, we are committed to providing students in all of our grades, nursery through 8th, with hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity, collaboration, and creativity,” said Head of School Carson Smith. “The physical transformation of these key parts of our campus represents a significant step in our goal to equip students with essential 21st-century competencies while still emphasizing the importance of traditional skills, including reading, writing, public speaking, and mathematics.”
Soon approaching its centennial, RCDS is excited to celebrate and build on its legacy of excellence to remain the premier educational institution in the area as it looks to the next 100 years.