Laurie Robinson

The objective of Robinson’s innovative teaching idea, “EcoLab,” is to create an outdoor laboratory space in which students and community members can engage in meaningful and creative ecologically-centered activities. Designed by students, the space will be a place where they will learn about dimensional analysis, measurement skills, and the importance of team collaboration as they research examples to select the best EcoLab design. The EcoLab will be similar to a greenhouse and will include aquaponics, solar heating, worm bins/worm gardens, hydroponics, irrigation components, and a construction station for a wide range of activities. Students will recognize real-world ecological problems and discover solutions to those problems including alternative energy, the reduction of waste, and more. Student-led community classes will allow student experts to pass their knowledge to community members and understand how their classroom knowledge transfers into real-world problem solving.