New $240,000 STEAM lab opens at Oakbrook Elementary in Dorchester County

A new STEAM innovation lab funded by Google has opened at Oakbrook Elementary School in Dorchester School District Two, according to Live 5 WCSC. The $240,000 lab offers students from kindergarten through fifth grade an immersive, hands-on learning environment focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

The lab features a forest-inspired design with life-sized animal graphics, indoor turf, custom furniture, and a sky-painted ceiling, creating an engaging setting for exploration and experimentation, ABC News 4 WCIV reported. It aims to connect classroom concepts to real-world applications and potential future careers.

Dorchester 2 Educational Foundation Executive Director Ralph Hayes said the lab emphasizes tactile learning, with students using manipulatives and activities like gardening instead of just screen time, according to Live 5 WCSC. The lab will be part of the regular rotation for students, similar to art, music, and physical education classes.

The investment reflects a broader commitment to the Dorchester County area, including Google's local data centers and focus on skilled trades, Live 5 WCSC noted. The school was chosen due to factors like its Title 1 status, principal support for STEAM education, and suitable physical space.

District leaders expressed gratitude for Google's investment. Superintendent Chad Daugherty said the lab will help students build skills, confidence, and curiosity for future success, ABC News 4 WCIV reported. The lab will serve every student at Oakbrook Elementary through scheduled sessions starting the week of November 2.