San Francisco isn't the only city where innovation in education is taking root. In fact, Columbus, Ohio's Eastmoor Academy High School is making a splash with its unique Live-Lab—a hands-on educational space that's part zoo, part science lab. Life science teacher George Edmonds launched the Live-Lab in 2023, envisioning a classroom that would truly engage students. As Columbus City Schools News reports, this dynamic environment is designed with the idea that "the line between classroom and 'real world' disappears."
Edmonds, who doubles as a STEM Zoology Club adviser, has fostered a space where students voluntarily arrive before class and after school to care for an array of creatures. The lab grew from a few terrariums to a remarkable, grant-supported venture that offers pathway credits and internship hours to student caregivers. Each enclosure is not just an exhibit but a learning opportunity, complete with QR codes feeding curious minds with information on rare reptiles and rich plant species, according to the same publication.
The space isn't exclusively for scientific pursuits, however. "It serves as a therapy room," Edmonds told Columbus City Schools News. "It serves as an education room. The entire community took part in building this." Teachers from various disciplines, including special education, have incorporated the Live-Lab into their curriculum, bringing a tangible and soothing aspect to learning that a traditional classroom environment may lack.
Eastmoor Academy's program stands as a testament to the value of interactive learning. Sophomore Tajah Carr, captain of the STEM Zoology Club, shared with Columbus City Schools News, "It’s not just about the animals. It’s about making friends and bonding with the members before you even touch the animals." This emphasis on responsibility and teamwork underscores the lab's success—it's not just a place where flora and fauna are kept, but where leadership and compassion are cultivated.
Looking beyond the walls of Eastmoor, the program's influence is extending to other parts of the city. Students involved in the lab have engaged in projects like the Urban Hummingbird Garden and have participated in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium TEEN ECO Summit. As George Edmonds pointed out, "[The Live-Lab] belongs to the community," empowering students and making science tangible and accessible.
