On March 19, the district celebrated the grand opening of Monee Elementary’s SmartLab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. District administrators, students, and representatives from SmartLab and the Campos Foundation, which generously donated $176,000 toward the SmartLab, were there to celebrate.
During the event, representatives from SmartLab and the Campos Foundation joined district leaders in emphasizing the importance of SmartLabs and the continued exploration of STEM throughout students’ education and into their careers. SmartLab CEO Dr. Jennifer Berry highlighted the value of perseverance, noting that failure is an important part of learning and ultimately leads to success.
“This SmartLab represents an investment in our students’ futures,” said Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese.” It is more than a lab—it’s a space where students will explore, create, and begin to see themselves as future innovators and problem solvers, opening doors to opportunities and helping them discover their passions at an early age.”
Students collaborated to design and test a safe emergency route, using problem-solving and engineering thinking to guide their vehicle through a community with obstacles. Using color-coded tiles, they programmed their cars to follow the route, building computational thinking skills as they tested, adjusted, and improved their designs. The lab was then officially opened with the ribbon-cutting.
The new SmartLab is fully equipped with design, production, and installation components, creating a hands-on learning environment through which students can explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through creative, project-based learning experiences.
We are incredibly grateful to the Campos Foundation for its generous donation. The Campos Foundation’s mission is to elevate underrepresented minority and female students through STEM education initiatives. We were honored to be recommended by SmartLab for this opportunity.
District Technology Integration STEM Coordinator Jamila Bynum is overseeing the SmartLab implementation districtwide, with facilitators Christine Quinlan and Garridan Mitchell rotating among Monee, Talala, and Balmoral Elementary Schools. In addition, Lakisha Carter will lead a class session at Monee Elementary.
This partnership marks an exciting step forward in expanding STEM learning opportunities for Crete-Monee students and fostering a culture of innovation across the district. One additional SmartLab will open at Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park this upcoming fall, after which all elementary schools in the district will have a SmartLab. Students will begin weekly 60-minute, hands-on learning sessions this fall.
Representatives from the Campos Foundation included Founder and COO Marco Campos, President Deanna Campos-Miller, Mary Bateman, Tom Chaloux, Manuel Sanchez, Allan Fuentes, and Emily Straszewski. Representatives from SmartLab included Dr. Berry and Senior Vice President of Sales Raymond Mitchell.