A new, specialized venue to support innovative learning and teaching was launched on Friday in the Abbotsford school district with the opening of the “Explozone.”
The “teaching lab” at Abbotsford Senior Secondary will help teachers explore how to create a classroom community that engages students in authentic, real-world inquiry and discovery which connects directly to the new B.C. curriculum, said board of education chair Cindy Schafer.
Julie Rousseau, the district’s director of instruction, said everyone will learn in the Explozone.
“While one teacher is involved in an activity with their students, other educators can observe and reflect on the learning environment ... Our district is taking the lead in B.C. in creating a unique and flexible space for teachers to explore experiential learning,” she said.
The Explozone, located in a newly created and equipped lab/classroom at Abby Senior, will be used by teachers and students at every level.
District teachers wishing to participate in the K-12 learning series offered at the Explozone will be able to sign up with the district’s curriculum department to co-plan and co-develop their lessons.
Early offerings include Smarter Science, Inquiry Based Learning, Destination Imagination, Entrepreneurship, Access STEM and a Personalized Learning professional development series.