Lewis & Clark Elementary’s Engagement Lab remains a hit for teachers, students in second year

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - The majority of an elementary student’s time in class is spent in a single classroom. One school in Williston has added more variety to their day with a special room designed to make learning more interesting.

Fourth grade students are working on a delicious assignment inside Candyland, the latest theme for Lewis and Clark Elementary’s engagement lab. They are writing about creating their own candy.

“It’s like a Jolly Rancher, kind of,” said Piper Kringen.

They are surrounded by walls where all sorts of delicious deserts are projected. The students say it has helped their imaginations for this project.

“It’s chocolate. Who doesn’t love chocolate, that’s the point,” said Ashley O’Neal.

The staff at Lewis and Clark have put together several different themes for the space, which makes every visit unique.

“I think they are really cool,” said Joscelyn Grad.

“And there’s a lot of activities too that we do in here,” said Stori Otto.

Being in the engagement lab is a fun time for everyone, not just the students.

“Even for myself, it’s nice to get out of our classroom and see something else and I know they appreciate it too,” said Kara Blomberg, fourth grade teacher.

This is the second year the engagement lab has been operating, which continues to sweeten their ordinary routine.

“We’re taking away those behavior issues that you might have just teaching a regular lesson,” said Kristi Hildebrandt, first grade teacher who brought the idea to Williston.

Hildebrandt says through the use of computer programs, anything they can think of could be a theme this year. No matter what the theme may be, students at Lewis and Clark are just happy to spend time there.

“I like it. I wish our classroom was like this too,” said Kringen.

The engagement lab is also open to other elementary schools in the district.

Later this month the school will switch the lab to an ocean theme. Other designs included the outdoors and Jurassic Park.