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Photo courtesy: Jocelyn King
The Makerspace area of Wheeling Park High School’s new Innovative Learning Center opened to the public on Monday evening. From left, David Croft of the Ohio County Board of Education. Nicole Shepherd, Alternative Education Coordinator. Alicia Harvath, Cooper Davis, and Ryder Stan from Bridge Street Middle School.
Wheeling – Ohio County school officials officially opened the doors to the future of innovative learning at Wheeling Park High School Monday night.
The ribbon cutting took place at the entrance to the Innovative Learning Center, housed in the former media center on the second floor of the school. The focus here is on technology and collaborative education.
The center will be funded solely by funds generated by a $42.2 million bond issuance passed by Ohio County voters in 2018, making up the majority of the more than $24 million allocated for WPHS upgrades.
The vast space is divided into separate areas for specific purposes.
The Makerspace area includes a 3D printer, Cricuts, a Glowforge laser printer, and a sublimation heat press for use in school projects such as making t-shirts.
There are seven separate ‘huddle’ areas throughout the Innovation Center where student groups can gather for group discussions and collaboration on classroom learning.
The unique ‘kiva’ or circular room in the center is a classroom with walls of whiteboards where students and teachers can write and draw. It is especially expected to be used in mathematics classes.
Meanwhile, Ohio County Schools Innovation Coordinator JoJo Shay explained that the “backstage” area is great for demonstrating physics concepts and other scientific ideas. It’s also used for multimedia purposes, and includes technology for green screens and podcasts, she said.
“It’s so exciting to see it all come together. We’ve been here five years. It’s so special to see the kids create and learn here,” continued Shea.
A small lab in the room has a wall-hung whiteboard that students can remove and use. But behind the curtains in one corner of the Innovative Learning Center was a surprise announcement Monday night.
There is a presentation area where the highly successful WPHS speech and debate teams can practice their skills for their 43rd consecutive state championship.
Pictures of retired speech team coach Fran Schoolcraft and current coach Bill Cornforth already hang on the walls of the presentation area, considered the “home field” of the speech team.
Speech Team Captain Logan Fraser pointed out that the Beneke Auditorium, where the Speech Team has practiced in recent years, is currently closed for renovations. Instead, members practice in classrooms or at WPHS’ new Patriot Point spots.
He added that hundreds of people have been members of the WPHS Championship Team over the years and that alumni are “family.”
“One thing about family is having a home,” he continued. “We’ve been moving between spaces over the past few weeks, and I can now say that we have a space at Wheeling Park High School that we can call ours.”
Frazier added that the presentation space will be an area where the speaking team can work as a team and build a collaborative spirit.
The unveiling of the presentation room was intended as a surprise for Cornforth.
“It was a surprise,” Cornforth said. “I am mute.”
He was equally impressed with the entire Innovative Learning Center.
“It’s got great technology and it’s fun,” Cornforth said. “It’s playful and exciting.”
Brian Leggett, a social studies and math teacher and the school’s wrestling coach, is in charge of the Innovative Learning Center. He said his first class is due in the second period today and his other three are due later in the day.
Future schedules fill up quickly, Leggett said.
He explained that the Innovation Center has many separate areas, so multiple classes can be scheduled at once.
Retired teacher Pete Chacarros, member of the Ohio County Board of Education, found the potential of an Innovative Learning Center exciting.
“I definitely want to bring my kids here,” he explained. “If I feel that way, there must be 100 other teachers who feel the same way.”
Among those who attended the opening of the Innovative Learning Center were local West Virginia Board of Education members Dr. Jim Wilson and Robert Dunlevy, former Ohio County Schools Superintendent Larry Miller, former Board of Education It included member Chris Carder and Wheeling City Manager Robert. Heron.
Superintendent Kim Miller thanked Ohio County voters for passing the bond issue in 2018 and project engineers McKinley and Associates for bringing the project to life.
“There were a lot of challenges along the way, but a lot of people saw the end of the tunnel,” Miller said. I knew it was best for my kids to create an innovative space where they could.
“I can’t wait for my students to participate in this,” she added.
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