Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School
Lab description
Grade Levels:
6-8
At Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School, the VW eLab is a hands‑on innovation space where students use the design process to explore engineering, fabrication and real‑world careers. Working with laser cutters, vinyl cutters, 3D printers, microcomputers and digital design tools, they prototype ideas, solve authentic problems and develop the skills and mindsets needed for future success.
VW eLab Specialist
Brian Purvis
Brian Purvis spent 18 years as a classroom STEM teacher using inquiry‑centered project‑based learning before shifting into digital fabrication and maker‑centered education. Since 2016 he has led MIT’s Fab Foundation Brilliant Career Lab and consulted on K‑12 Fab Labs. He now serves as the VW eLab specialist at Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School.
Lab Impact
At Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School, the VW eLab is both a Fab Lab where students learn that their ideas have power. Built on the foundation laid by former specialists, it has grown into a vibrant creative community where students and teachers imagine boldly and bring ideas to life. With laser cutters, vinyl cutters, 3D printers, microcomputers and digital design tools, students prototype solutions, solve authentic problems and develop the skills and mindsets needed for future success. The VW eLab functions as a hub rather than a class. Teachers across grade levels and subjects collaborate with the specialist to connect projects to curriculum. Students in grades four through eight use the Normal Park Design Process to research, plan, prototype, test, improve and proudly share their work at Exhibit Night. They learn to empathize with users, define challenges, ideate solutions and iterate until they succeed. Many students return to the lab outside of class for passion projects, club initiatives or personal designs that begin at home or in the community. Teachers are inspired too, partnering across subjects and rethinking what is possible when students build, design and experiment. The impact is most visible in students’ confidence and agency. They discover they can manipulate materials, solve meaningful problems and create things once thought out of reach. The VW eLab does more than teach skills; it transforms how students see themselves and their ability to shape the world, making the lab an integral part of Normal Park’s mission.
Project Highlights
Across grades four through eight, the VW eLab at Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School brings learning to life through projects that blend engineering, digital fabrication, art, coding and creativity. Using the Normal Park Design Process, students research, plan, prototype, test, improve and share their work at Exhibit Night. In grades four and five, learners build maker skills through challenges connected to science and social studies. They design earthquake‑resistant structures, engineer erosion‑prevention systems, build laser‑cut wagons, create animal exhibits, model moon phases in Tinkercad and explore water filtration. These experiences help them see themselves as capable inventors and problem solvers. In grades six to eight, students take on more advanced projects. They laser‑cut symbolic bookmarks, build biome installations, model ancient coins, fabricate Shinto wish tags, engineer balloon cars and design Martian habitats. Older students enter competitive challenges such as designing mechanical launchers for a baseball first‑pitch contest. Students across all grades experience the excitement of turning ideas into real products, building confidence, creativity and a lifelong maker mindset. The CWeLab also serves as a place for passion projects. Students return to work on personal designs or club initiatives, from jewelry and musical instruments to custom board games and community gifts. Teachers collaborate with the eLab specialist to align projects with curriculum and integrate research, writing and presentation skills. Exhibit Nights invite families and community partners to tour the lab, test prototypes and provide feedback. Students reflect on their work, discussing what they learned and how they overcame obstacles.
