Westford Public Schools’ Living Lab, located at the Norman E. Day School, is designed for Grades K-5 students to explore their world using scientific and engineering practices. The Living Lab includes two dedicated indoor labs, an outdoor classroom, an outdoor ramp to a deck overlooking a brook habitat, and a rain garden. Through hands-on investigations, students learn how to ask questions, design investigations, and interpret their findings to answer those questions. They also identify problems and design solutions. As students gain expertise with these practices, they not only learn scientific content, but learn how to be scientists and engineers.
Every K-5 student visits the Living Lab twice per school year; once in the fall and once in the spring. Lessons are aligned with the state standards, and whenever possible also align to science instruction currently taking place in the classroom. The Living Lab is directed by Elaine Santelmann, K-5 Science and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for the Westford Public Schools, who is a botanist and ecologist by training. The two Living Lab instructors are Ali Sacknowitz, a geologist, and Mary Morse, who is also a beekeeper!
Every K-5 student visits the Living Lab twice per school year; once in the fall and once in the spring. Lessons are aligned with the state standards, and whenever possible also align to science instruction currently taking place in the classroom. The Living Lab is directed by Elaine Santelmann, K-5 Science and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for the Westford Public Schools, who is a botanist and ecologist by training. The two Living Lab instructors are Ali Sacknowitz, a geologist, and Mary Morse, who is also a beekeeper!