Honors Pre-Calculus students created string art projects representing their studies in polar coordinates visually by using tools in the Innovation Lab from Mar. 1-2.

“I wanted to use the Innovation Lab for students to have an experience where they could take what they were learning in class on pencil and paper and see what it looks like in 3-D,” math department chair Shelley Godett said.

This new medium is being introduced to students who have not used the Innovation Lab.

“We had been talking about doing a calculus project in the Innovation Lab since last year,” library media specialist Pamela Quiros said. “I think just about every subject matter could do a project in the Innovation Lab.”

Putting in physical work is different from typical tasks for math students. Learners were given a mental break from new, complex equations, yet still could understand information in a new light.

“At least in this chapter, [it is important to see] how special mathematics is,” Godett said. “We can take a really complicated equation, and it looks really hard, but when we are graphing and drawing it and doing the string art, it made something beautiful.”

Being in an advanced class has its benefits, like creating a curriculum that also uses more of the school’s resources for projects. Students can look forward to these projects when taking calculus classes and other advanced courses.

Students said they enjoyed being out of their element and covering more of what polar coordinates can look like.

“Usually we would be sitting in the classroom, Mrs. Godett at the board teaching us the next unit, but because of the Innovation Lab, it was more hands-on,” sophomore Aliyah Davis said. “It was a lot more fun.”

Having more classes come into the Lab is a goal of staff because of more memorable learning opportunities.

“Your imagination is your only limit in [the Innovation Lab],” Quiros said.