CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — This school year, students at Huntington Local Middle School returned to find an exciting new addition: a high-tech SmartLab designed to provide hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The lab, geared towards students in grades 5 through 8, emphasizes student-led projects, allowing them to explore complex concepts through practical, real-world applications.
“Our initiative with SmartLabs has provided our students with cutting-edge technology experiences that relate to real-world applications,” said Pete Ruby, Superintendent of Huntington Local Schools. “This program is vital as it prepares our students for the next generation of job opportunities by developing skills that a traditional classroom cannot always provide. Here at Huntington, we aim not only to educate in core subjects but to prepare our students for the future as they explore, create, and imagine their future selves.”
Principal Matt Murphy also highlighted the lab’s impact, noting that students are energized by the interactive learning environment. “Our students now have the chance to explore a variety of career paths,” he said. “The SmartLab has become an engaging environment where students are excited to learn, particularly in Mr. Barrows’ class. Through this program, students are growing in critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”
Chad Barrows, who facilitates the STEAM course, shared his enthusiasm for the SmartLab’s impact on student engagement. “I believe this program places Huntington Local Schools on the cutting edge of what 21st-century schools should be. Students are gaining exposure to a wide range of technologies—from robotics to environmental tech and media arts—all within a supportive, hands-on environment that emphasizes independent problem-solving,” he explained. “The SmartLab slogan, ‘Learning is different here,’ truly resonates with what we’re achieving.”
The lab is equipped with diverse tools, including robotics kits, 3D printers, and a media studio where students create projects ranging from short films to news broadcasts. Huntington’s STEAM instructor, Chad Barrows, described the lab as transformative for both students and the school’s approach to learning. “We’re showing students what a 21st-century classroom can look like,” he said. “With robotics, environmental technology, and digital media, they’re building critical skills and confidence in a supportive, hands-on space.”
To celebrate the opening, Huntington Local Middle School will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. during Parent-Teacher Conferences. The event, open to parents, community members, and local leaders, will feature student demonstrations of the lab’s technology, showcasing everything from robotics to digital media projects.