3D printers, virtual reality, and robotics are just some of the new educational tools Taylorville Junior High School students have to use in the school’s new STEM lab. The school showed the lab off to parents and the public at Thursday night’s open house.

Students got to demonstrate how the technology works to those in attendance. Eighth grader Marcus Wilkins was one of the students demonstrating virtual reality, and he says he’s happy that Taylorville has this kind of equipment for students to use.

One of the people Wilkins got to teach Thursday was 48th District State Senator Andy Manar. He gave kudos to the Taylorville School District for the new STEM lab, saying the district is being a leader in STEM education downstate.

Taylorville School District Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says he is already hearing positive reviews about the STEM lab, and he believes the sky is the limit for the educational possibilities in the STEM lab.

Taylorville Junior High Principal Kirk Kettelkamp agrees with Fuerstenau, and says parents are impressed with the STEM lab and Hot Spot room, a lounge type classroom also newly added to the building for a more comfortable learning experience.

Kettelkamp says so far there have only been introductory items taught in the STEM lab, but he is excited to see how TJHS teachers will use the STEM lab as they get more familiar with the technology. 

Eighth grader Marcus Wilkins taught State Senator Andy Manar some of the ins-and-outs of virtual reality Thursday at the TJHS Open House.