Back to All Work

Niles North and West High School STEM Labs

Niles Township High School District 219 Skokie, Illinois

Dated spaces redefined as STEM labs that optimize research, analysis, interaction, and invention

Classrooms at Niles North and West High Schools transformed into STEM labs. The schools have since achieved international recognition as incubators for tomorrow’s researchers. Each 3,000-square-foot lab offers two primary zones: a think tank for presentations and conferencing, and a flexible lab zone for research and experiments.

HIGHLIGHTS

Movable work tables support different configurations
Storage carts roll under counters
Lockable study carrels store sensitive materials
Wet and dry lab areas
Ceiling offers power outlets, air, data ports, suspension grid
Materials and design merge industry and science
Large windows display lab activity in corridor
Exposed building systems pique curiosity and support curricula

Think Tank

The think tank, a hub of multimedia collaboration, encourages students to think out loud and supports global conferencing. It provides communication tools to discuss work with industry and educational partners.

Lab Zone

In the lab zone, students have everything they need to apply lessons toward real-life problem solving: flexible configurations, storage, places to plug in, and sophisticated equipment.

Industry Meets Science

Materials and design merge industry and science to reflect the cross-curricular nature of the program. Wood work tables and slop sinks reflect the traditional shop. Metal cabinetry, chemical-resistant epoxy resin lab tables, and rubber flooring create the industrial look of the professional production laboratory.

niles-north-west-high-school-stem-design

niles-north-west-high-school-stem-storage

A Setting for Experimentation

Movable tables and individual work carts roll under counters to give students the flexibility to conduct many experiments. Lockable study carrels provide space for independent study and long-term projects.

Overhead Gridding

An overhead steel pipe grid allows students to suspend objects, install task lighting, and clamp on IP cameras to record and share their work. The ceiling also has power outlet reels, compressed air, and data ports.

niles-north-west-high-school-stem-corridor

Curiosity Is Piqued

Large windows display lab activity in the corridor to get students excited about STEM applications.

← →

Cost-effective Transformation

Schools do not have to build major expansions to achieve STEM spaces. Niles North and West High Schools did it by converting two old classrooms into advanced STEM labs.