Allen Elementary School
Lab description
Grade Levels:
K-5
At Allen Elementary’s VW eLab, students imagine, design and build using 3D printers, laser cutters and coding robots. Hands‑on projects tied to Tennessee standards foster creativity, collaboration and problem‑solving skills that prepare them for the future.
VW eLab Specialist
Jessica Sharp
With over 22 years of teaching experience, Jessica Sharp built Allen Elementary’s VW eLab from the ground up. She inspires students to dream big and equips them with the skills to transform ideas into reality. By connecting hands‑on learning to Tennessee standards, Jessica empowers every child to think and act like an innovator.
Lab Impact
Allen Elementary’s VW eLab is a place where students imagine, design and build using 3D printers, laser cutters and coding robots. Hands‑on projects tied to Tennessee standards foster creativity, collaboration and problem‑solving. Third graders combine ecology and engineering by designing frog habitats and 3D‑printing frogs, some even wiring circuits to light up their models. Fourth graders connect social studies and digital fabrication by creating and presenting replicas of historical artifacts they research. Fifth graders merge math and robotics, programming Sphero BOLT robots to navigate mazes using geometry. Younger students explore with BeeBots to learn sequencing and basic engineering. Every project follows a design cycle: students brainstorm, sketch, build, test, refine and share. Teachers encourage reflection, guiding students to see mistakes as opportunities to learn. The eLab also links to literacy. Students document their process in journals and oral presentations, strengthening communication skills. Partnered with community experts, they design props for plays and gifts for local partners. Through these experiences, students develop confidence, curiosity and ownership of their learning. They enter the eLab eager to create, experiment and share ideas, proving that innovation begins with imagination. After‑school clubs let students design costumes, stencils for murals and pollinator gardens. Family nights invite children to teach parents coding and make ornaments, building leadership and community. They grow more confident each session and truly love using the lab as part of their learning experience!
Project Highlights
Hands‑on projects at Allen Elementary blend creativity, technology and standards. Third graders design frog habitats with 3D‑printed frogs, sometimes wiring circuits to light them up. They measure dimensions and present findings. Fourth graders research artifacts, draft blueprints and fabricate replicas using 3D printers and laser cutters, then create displays with captions. Fifth graders program Sphero BOLT robots to navigate mazes they design using geometric patterns and code. Younger students use BeeBots to learn sequencing and build simple machines. Across grades, students follow the design process: brainstorm, sketch, build, test, refine and share. After‑school clubs let children design costumes, create stencils for murals and plan pollinator gardens. Family nights invite students to teach parents how to code robots and make ornaments, raising funds for materials. Students also design props for school performances, gifts for community partners and signage for events. Math and science concepts are reinforced as they calculate measurements, test hypotheses and use data to improve designs. Reflection journals and digital portfolios capture growth in perseverance, collaboration and creativity. Pollinator projects teach ecology. Students research species, design garden beds, build models and cut vinyl signs. They present to the PTA and install gardens. Students also use laser‑cut fraction tiles and 3D‑printed manipulatives to visualize proportions. Family nights include building birdhouses and lanterns. The lab fosters deep, meaningful learning as students engage in real-world projects and make their thinking visible.
