A Bayside elementary school is leading the pack when it comes to technology education and they have a brand-new computer lab to prove it.
P.S. 46 unveiled a lab full of Apple iMac desktop computers as part of their ongoing emphasis on digital and technology education.
The classroom features 36 desktop computers and all new furnishings. It’s decorated with a technology and social media theme, including a section of books honoring computer pioneers such as Bill Gates and a scattering of social media vocabulary words posted on the walls. The entire project cost a total of $100,000.
School Principal Stamo Karalazarides said the school aims to enhance student knowledge and experiences with technology by upgrading its resources.
“Technology is changing faster than any other career or any other subject area in this whole world,” Karalazarides said.
According to technology facilitator Janet Elias, this is the fourth upgrade for the lab but the first time the school will use Apple computers.
Elias said early computer education ensures that children are college- and career-ready later in life.
The teacher has a website with features explaining the features of the new Mac operating system so that children can know how to use both Macs and PCs by graduation. Elias also teaches extensive computer coding classes and social media etiquette to help students navigate the online world that many begin to interact with in their early teen years.
“Innovative education goes far beyond how to use new tools,” Elias said. “It requires us to rethink how we teach and learn, and it calls on us to re-engineer our classrooms in the growing digital age.”
The project was funded by former Councilman Mark Weprin, who resigned last year. Weprin’s successor, Barry Grodenchik, was at the school to cut the ribbon for the lab’s grand opening.
“This is the nicest computer lab I have seen in any New York City school, bar none,” Grodenchik said. “Just absolutely gorgeous.”
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic was also at the opening to admire the new classroom at P.S. 46.
“Classrooms are the hub of innovation and where kids learn the most at their earliest,” Rozic said, “so anything we can do to support that is great.”
