Charleston Elementary STEAM Academy
K-5
CESA’s VW eLab provides K–5 students with hands-on, cross-curricular learning that connects technology, engineering, agriculture, and the arts. Through real-world challenges, students use 3D printing, robotics, and engineering tools to design, build, test, and improve solutions while developing creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and technical skills.
Lab description
Grade Levels:
VW eLab Specialist
Becky Denney
Becky Denney brings innovation to life by connecting CESA’s VW eLab with hands-on agricultural learning. From 3D printing, laser cutting, and engineering to caring for farm animals and gardens, she helps students connect technology and agriculture while building creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence to design solutions for the world around them.
Impact
CESA’s VW eLab builds on a strong foundation of STEAM education and authentic learning. In 2019, CESA became Bradley County’s first elementary school to earn STEM designation through TSIN and is now the county’s first elementary school with a VW eLab. Through cross-curricular experiences, K–5 students develop essential and technical skills by applying the engineering design process to real-world challenges. Using 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics, and hand tools, students design, prototype, test, and improve solutions that connect academics, agriculture, technology, and the arts. Our agricultural program extends learning beyond the classroom as students care for animals, raise trout, maintain gardens, and engineer animal shelters. Our student-led Coop Crew promotes leadership, entrepreneurship, and community connections through animal care and egg sales. Students also apply engineering skills to fine arts productions and upcoming sensory garden projects. Through teacher collaboration and community partnerships, CESA is building a schoolwide culture of innovation that empowers students to become creative thinkers, skilled makers, and confident problem solvers.
Project Highlights
At CESA, students in grades K–5 engage in authentic, cross-curricular projects that integrate essential skills, technical proficiency, and the engineering design process. Mars Rover Engineering Challenge: Fourth-grade students applied NASA-inspired design parameters to engineer and construct Mars Rovers. Students developed sketches, designed and 3D printed components, tested prototypes, and incorporated Sphero BOLTs to power their creations. They then navigated a simulated Martian environment while applying grade-level science standards. This challenge integrated engineering, robotics, digital fabrication, scientific reasoning, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving. Agricultural Engineering and Student Entrepreneurship: Students across grades K–5 designed and constructed chicken coops using measurement tools, saws, hammers, and other engineering hand tools. Students evaluated their designs, identified structural weaknesses, and made improvements to protect the animals. Our fourth- and fifth-grade Coop Crew extends this learning through student leadership, animal care, maintenance, and entrepreneurship. Students collect eggs for sale to staff and community members, using the proceeds to help sustain the agricultural program. Campus Innovation and Environmental Stewardship: Building upon these experiences, students will use the VW eLab to design and fabricate birdhouses, bird feeders, wind chimes, and pollinator habitats for our sensory garden. These projects will connect digital fabrication and traditional engineering skills with science, environmental stewardship, mathematics, and the arts. Students will have opportunities to develop solutions that make a visible, lasting contribution to their school environment.
