Forest Lake Elementary (FLE), a Richland School District Two magnet school, is preparing students at an early stage for a technology–driven world. Technology is incorporated into the core curriculum at FLE through programs like electronic publishing, video production, art design, SciTech, blackboard on–line teaching, portable planetarium, and Science–fest.

“A typical day at Forest Lake begins with our state–of–the-art news show,” explained Paulette Williams, FLE instructional technology specialist. “Fifth grade students totally produce, plan, and broadcast the news from our Forest Lake Today studio. Students are in front of the camera as well as manning cameras, lighting, sound board, and special effects.”

Fourth and fifth grade students plan and produce an award winning literary magazine entitled Eagle Expressions , Williams added. “Students collect pictures of activities around the school using digital cameras and combine these pictures with original writings from students at all grade levels.”

In 2005, Eagle Expressions won first place in the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual magazine competition and first place in the “Best Elementary Literary Magazine” category.

SciTech is a new program at FLE that combines science standards and technology. Williams gave a long list of electronic devices incorporated every day into these classes. “The SciTech lab is equipped with computers, digital cameras, scanners, wireless weather station, digital microscope, Palm Pilots, Smart Boards (an interactive white board), Classroom Performance System, and a video production area.”

Technology is fused into the music program and through the use of Yamaha keyboards. “All students from kindergarten through fifth grade love to play music on their own keyboard,” Williams said.

Students are even using technology in regular school activities like going to lunch or the library. “Students wear I.D.s that are electronically scanned for cafeteria charges and to check out materials in our media center,” she said. “Come in at any time of the day and you can find students using the wireless laptops in the courtyard or almost anywhere.”

The philosophy at the Forest Lake Elementary technology magnet school is that by integrating technology into the curriculum at this stage, academic performance and skills will reach a new level of excellence.

Richland School District Two received federal grant money from the Magnet Schools Assistance Program for the purpose of creating four magnet programs: Forest Lake Elementary technology magnet school, Conder Elementary arts magnet school, Dent Middle School FAME program, and Richland Northeast High School convergence media program.

Williams said students at FLE are using state–of–the–art equipment for standards–based instruction and developing confidence with the technology that will be their future. “Walk into any classroom, and you will see engaged learners, eager to participate and learn.”

“Several institutions of higher learning send their students to Forest Lake to see quality teaching and learning in action, Williams said. “We are honored to be involved with Columbia College, USC, Converse, and Columbia International University.”

A host of events are scheduled for the spring, which will showcase the talents of FLE students. Science–fest Celebration, a day–long event focusing on science and technology, is set for March 24. The FLE annual Silent Auction will be March 3. A musical production entitled The Music Man, Jr. , directed by Angela Powers, will take place March 3, 4.

Forest Lake Elementary is located at 6801 Brookfield Rd. in Richland School District Two. For more information, call (803) 782-0470.