At St. Thomas’s Day School, creative expression and purposeful technology use go hand in hand. Students visit the Innovation Lab several times each week to design, create, explore, problem-solve, and think critically while building meaningful technology skills. Through hands-on experiences with a variety of digital tools, students learn to use technology not simply as consumers, but as active creators and collaborators.
“More than any specific tool or skill, I hope students leave my classroom understanding that technology is something they create with, not just consume,” says Mr. Crawford, Technology Coordinator. “That philosophy has always shaped how St. Thomas’s approaches technology, and it guides everything we do in the Innovation Lab.”
Some of the most exciting moments in the Innovation Lab come when students use technology to express ideas in ways they could not otherwise share. From coding projects and 3D printing to robotics and research-driven presentations, students consistently demonstrate remarkable creativity and curiosity.
“I strive to create an understanding in students of the rights, obligations, and opportunities that come with living in an interconnected world,” Mr. Crawford adds. “That balance between digital power and digital responsibility is something I return to constantly.”
The program is intentionally thoughtful about how and when technology is introduced into students’ learning experiences. Rather than allowing technology to become the default for everything, the goal is to use it in ways that deepen thinking, support creativity, and complement a child’s education in developmentally appropriate ways.
Mr. Crawford comments, “At a time when some schools are moving toward all digital assignments, open laptops all day, and introducing AI at younger and younger ages, I think there’s real value in being intentional and thoughtful about when and how technology enters a child’s education. That critical thinking is one of the most valuable things a young person can develop.”
