Innovation Studios
Helps C-M Students
Expand Knowledge
S
tudents at Canonsburg Middle School are prospering from an
Innovation Studios concept initiated three years ago designed
to highlight the unique learning experiences that all seventh
and eighth graders receive in their related arts rotation block.
Innovation Studios was started in the 2015-16 school year to
serve as an overarching designation (branding) of the programming
already in place at the school. Class names were changed at that
time to more clearly reflect the content being covered.
According to those who teach the classes, the content was not
added to create Innovation Studios. The concept (as a brand) was
created to house the content that existed.
“One of the key concepts of a true middle school philosophy (vs.
a traditional junior high school) is the idea that all students should
have access to explore a wide variety of subject areas,” said Dr. Greg
Taranto, principal of Canonsburg Middle School.
“All of the Innovation Studio classes are STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) based classes which are
areas that have tremendous growth opportunities in our country.
The idea is to expose them at this level with the hope they will take
more classes at the high school and consider STEAM based careers.”
The teachers involved with Innovation Studios: Eric Mychalishyn
(materials fabrication and automation & robotics), Brian Herring
(creative design & interactive digital design), Michael Maffei (design
and analysis and digital systems & electronics), and Lauren Bizich
(Visual Arts) said all students at Canonsburg Middle School are
involved with Innovation Studios. Eight (four in seventh grade and
four in eighth grade) classes are part of the program.
Various concepts occur in multiple classes and teachers routinely
collaborate with each other as well as other disciplines to ensure
proper and consistent use of terminology and application of course
concepts.
Each class is taught in six-week intervals, with each seventh
grader spending 24 weeks in Innovation Studios. This 24-week
program is repeated again in eighth grade, allowing 48 total weeks
of Innovation Studios between both grades. All students are part
of Innovation Studios, which are not elective courses. Each student
sees all content.
“We have had a very strong technology education program for
going on 15 years now so it was a natural progression to create
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CANON-MAC
this Innovation Studio concept which really communicates to the
students and community the expectations of these courses,” Dr.
Taranto said.
Taranto said the program continues to evolve and prosper.
“(It has) absolutely,” Taranto added. “As our society’s technology
and needs change, we adjust the curriculum to meet those needs.
The teachers are constantly adjusting lessons to create innovative
learning experiences. These teachers are life-long learners which
keeps them on top of the needs of the students.”
Through this collaboration, students are presented with the many
natural connections that exist between these areas and are shown
the many possible career options that may develop out of them.
Innovation Studios represents cross-curricular coursework at its
finest and the District “knows” it sets the standard for excellence in
middle level education.
The school has been recognized on a state and national level for
this concept through their Pennsylvania and National Schools to
Watch designation.
“Collaboration between the areas of Art, Technology and
Engineering create a learning environment for students that is
unmatched at any surrounding middle school,” according to those
who track the program.”
A total of eight distinct courses comprise Innovation Studios at
Canonsburg Middle School. As students transition from one course
to the next, they experience consistent terminology, common
software and mutual respect for the varying content areas and the
many connections that exist between them.
Course descriptions can be reviewed on the Innovation Studios
web page – a link can be found on the school’s website.
Those teaching the Innovation Studios model at Canonsburg
Middle School said there had been a strong focus on the disciplines
of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math since long before
“STEAM” became the buzzword of education.
“As progressive content has always been a hallmark of the school,
and because cross-curricular connections are strongly supported
by the middle school philosophy,” the teachers said. “Canonsburg
Middle School has also provided its students with strong
experiences in the areas of Art, Electronics and Design. The seven
separate areas intersect and combine numerous times throughout
the diverse curriculum at (the school).
“The driving force at Canonsburg Middle School has consistently
been and will continue to be educating the whole child. Providing
opportunities for our students to learn and grow in hands-on,
developmentally appropriate environments is critical for their
development of academic excellence.”