INVENTIONLAND — Hensley Guiler, a pupil at Wells Academy, created a colorful project during a session at the school’s “Inventionland” lab. The program, now in its fourth year, promotes innovation and problem-solving STEM lessons for those in preschool through fourth grade. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Inventionland — a program being offered at Wells Academy that brings students’ imagination to life.

The program, which is now in its fourth year, offers children in preschool through fourth grade the opportunity to attend a 30-minute innovation lab that incorporates the aspects of STEM in a new and exciting way. Inventionland is being led by Beth Rosaschi, a teacher and specialist at the school.

“I do three classes a day and do experiments with STEM,” Rosaschi said. “It varies with schedules. I try to categorize it because they are different.”

While constructing their projects, the pupils have an opportunity to find new uses for recycled items, whether it be melting a snowman or making a satellite. The Steubenville City School District received a grant which allowed Wells to create the lab that was based upon the concept of the Inventionland immersive worksite in Pittsburgh. Its facility boasts a 60,000-square-foot work environment and hosts tours for a range of people, including students and inventors.

Schools can use for their curriculum works that promote creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, Rosaschi stated, adding school officials were inspired to bring the program to Wells because its pupils are enthusiastic when it comes to learning.

“I spend time looking for things we can make move,” Rosaschi continued. “I think it challenges the mind. It tells them the importance of following instructions and there’s no set curriculum. But I try to teach a little bit of everything.”

Pupils can learn about magnets, robotics, chemistry, pulleys and gears. Their ideas are innovative and unique, Rosaschi said. The children have access to a 3-D printer inside the classroom where they conduct team-building activities.

“It’s thinking outside the box and gets them away from academics — but they are still learning,” Rosaschi stated. “If there’s something that moves or spins, they learn how it’s made. They learn about inventors and I put the invention into a lesson.”

Activities are grade-appropriate, with between three to four lessons created per week. Simpler projects are designed for the youngest pupils, with the more complex lessons being selected for the higher grades.

“As they get older, there are more parts to what makes things work,” Rosaschi added. “There is also more team building.” She explained she has noticed there has been growth when it comes to student’s learning. Rosaschi noted the children see and remember the projects they did in previous years, when they were in lower grades and are enthusiastic because they know they will be building something they enjoy doing.

“As they get older, they get more enthusiastic,” she concluded. Several of her pupils agreed, including Autumn Alris, a first-grader at the school.

“It’s a fun class,” Alris said. “It’s nice and I love to do crafts.”

“Inventionland is cool because we get to do crafts and stuff,” added first-grader Lincoln Banks. “I like learning how to make things.”