On this, the last day of school, the constructors have completed our new state of the art STEM lab. My God, it is fabulous! I can’t believe that a K-8 school district has something this revved up, but we do! If they publicize the link, I’ll post it, otherwise privacy restrictions forbid it.
Well?! What’s in it??
Everything! We actually have the inventory sheet derived from the delivery slips, so I’ll list that. I have to say, though, that there is no way all of this stuff can be used at once. The lab itself space-wise is very large so, by moving things around, setting stuff up while taking stuff down, all the stuff can be used over time. We have (drum roll): interactive learning platforms, coding and data analysis software, virtual reality headsets and interactive displays, drones, robotic kits and accompanying software, 3D printers with modeling software for creative designs, and laser engravers. Totally exciting!
How are you fixed for consumables?
The teacher in charge of the STEM curriculum plans and orders. It’s a good question so, now that it has actually come into existence, it’s worth asking her.
That is pretty amazing for K-8! Kind of sounds like the Akron Library system’s Maker Space but that is for all ages.
Will there be a dedicated staff member there, like a librarian for the STEM room?
Yes, she has been trained and is in place along with her curriculum. There are also after school “clubs” that will utilize the lab. There is a coding club, a robotics club, etc.
I love this. I was lucky enough to have computers around when I was a kid in the 70s - my father was an early adopter. It made it part of my upbringing and every day education, which has paid dividends through life. A STEM lab like this for that age group should play very nicely.
What is an “interactive learning platform”, in this context? From the name, it could just be a computer with educational software on it.
And do you have any more conventional tools, like a band saw, drill press, hand power tools, etc.? Those can get overlooked in favor of the sexy high-tech things, but they’re still just as useful as they always have been.
Other good options include soldering stations, sewing machines, a vinyl cutter and/or printer, a button press, a T-shirt press, a CNC router, and a photography lightbox.
Ah, so there is probably the single biggest “consumable” ongoing expense right there. 
I was curious if they had budgeted for the ongoing expenses of running the place, many of the things you described can’t just be put back on the shelf for the next student to use.