The DIB Lab is a makerspace serving all divisions of the school where students are able to play, design, prototype, and craft. The lab provides every student the opportunity to pursue a wide array of interests while they develop their creative design skills. Students have access to tools, teachers, and resources, enabling them to become content creators and problem solvers.

A Mentored, Collaborative Environment

The DIB Lab team nurtures Wheeler’s design program, which embraces engineering and computer science to prepare students for an evolving future and the modern economy. Students have the opportunity to utilize the lab outside of class time, whether during enrichment periods, at recess,
or after school. Many students take this time to investigate personal interests and to explore new tools, materials, and concepts with lab staff. Others opt to form groups and clubs, using the DIB Lab space to advance project work in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Teaching and Learning

Leveraging traditional and modern tools, students and teachers utilize the DIB Lab for project-based learning activities where their learning goals intersect with art, design, engineering, and computer science concepts. Students visit the lab with their teachers for short-term projects, and dedicated Middle School technology classes are also conducted there. Additionally, the lab is the home base for Wheeler’s Upper School STEM Club and robotics program, housing both the Middle School’s FIRST LEGO League Robotics meetings and the Upper School’s FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team practices.

Facilities

The DIB Lab is outfitted with an assortment of digital fabrication equipment, traditional shop tools, and a wide variety of materials. 3D printers, CNC machines, and a vinyl cutter enable designers to transform
an idea from “bits-to-atoms,” forging a computer-aided design into a physical form. Additionally, the lab is outfitted with hand tools, power tools, microcontrollers and electronics workbenches, screen printing
equipment, and craft materials.

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