Students across the district will have expanded opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM learning following the March 19 grand opening of the SmartLabs at both Monee and Crete Elementary Schools.
The launches were marked by ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each school. District administrators, students, and SmartLab representatives attended both ceremonies. Representatives from the Campos Foundation—which graciously donated $176,000 toward the Monee SmartLab—were present at Monee Elementary to celebrate. Crete-Monee Board of Education Member Janine Woolfolk attended the Crete Elementary event.
These new labs represent the district’s continued commitment to preparing students for the future by providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences. They will offer students opportunities to explore a wide range of disciplines, including communication arts, media arts, manufacturing, circuitry, and other STEM-related fields. Through structured challenges and open-ended exploration, students will design, build, and create while developing critical thinking and collaboration skills.
SmartLab CEO Dr. Jennifer Berry highlighted the value of perseverance, noting that failure is an important part of learning and ultimately leads to success for students.
“This SmartLab represents an investment in our students’ futures,” said Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese.” It is more than a lab—it’s a space where students will explore, create, and begin to see themselves as future innovators and problem solvers, opening doors to opportunities and helping them discover their passions at an early age.”
We are incredibly grateful to the Campos Foundation for their generous donation toward the Monee Elementary SmartLab. The Campos Foundation’s mission is to elevate underrepresented minority and female students through STEM education initiatives. We were honored to be recommended by SmartLab for this opportunity.
Representatives from the Campos Foundation included Founder and COO Marco Campos, President Deanna Campos-Miller, Mary Bateman, Tom Chaloux, Manuel Sanchez, Allan Fuentes, and Emily Straszewski. Representatives from SmartLab included Dr. Jennifer Berry and Senior Vice President of Sales Raymond Mitchell.
District Technology Integration STEM Coordinator Jamila Bynum is overseeing the SmartLab implementation districtwide, with facilitators Christine Quinlan and Garridan Mitchell rotating among Monee, Talala, and Balmoral Elementary Schools. In addition, Lakisha Carter will lead a class session at Monee Elementary. Students will begin weekly 60-minute, hands-on learning sessions this fall.
This partnership marks an exciting step forward in expanding STEM learning opportunities for Crete-Monee students and fostering a culture of innovation across the district. One additional SmartLab will open at Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park this upcoming fall, after which all elementary schools in the district will have a SmartLab.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Dr. Ghantel Perkins shared that it has been an honor to help bring this vision to life for students. She noted that seeing the district so close to the finish line is a truly remarkable achievement.