“Just for the fun of it” in Academy’s hallways. (Photo Courtesy/Sean Cullinan)

Over the last school year, many exciting interactive stations have been popping up all over campus. These stations offer a variety of engaging activities, ranging from iPads with coding applications to programmable robot arenas and building-toy stations. 

Throughout the school day, students of all ages can been seen tinkering and designing, just for the fun of it. 

The lack of guidance and instruction regarding these stations allows  students to be creative and express themselves freely. The nature of these displays and their purposes, however, can be somewhat mysterious to some.

These interactive displays are the work of Academy’s tech department. When they are not busy helping students and faculty with technology malfunctions, Mr Cullinan and his tech team  have been setting up stations around campus for students to be engaged and their minds stimulated. The goal of these stations is to spark intellectual curiosity in students and provide them with an opportunity to create something, even if it doesn’t count for a grade.

The low-tech stations, such as the twist-tie art gallery or the marble roller coaster table, are a great way for students to use math and logic while having fun during their free time. 

Although the tech department focuses on increasing the amount of technology used in the classroom, pulling students away from their phones as they walk down the hallways is also a goal. The interactive displays are a great way to show students other ways of entertaining themselves while also exercising and sharpening their minds. 

These new additions correspond perfectly with the new campus for the 2016-17 school year. 

The increased room of free spaces and lounges allows for more interactive displays in the common areas. 

The tech department offices also received a massive overhaul. 

With technology becoming more prevalent in schools and classrooms, Academy’s tech department will keeping working to add more opportunities to inspire and entertain students in an engaging manner.