What does AeroLab look like?
Students attend AeroLab one day a week. The schedule depends on your location and will follow your local school district’s academic calendar from September thru May including holidays and spring breaks. 5th Day on Fridays usually run from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and students attend either a morning or afternoon session depending on the schedule at your site.
Is it going to be fun or boring?
Fun! Absolutely! AeroLab challenges you to put classroom learning into practical application in a real-world project. AeroLab will dare your brain to stretch and your mind to explore new possibilities!
Who will be there?
Meet new people and make friends with students who like what you like! Students of different ages will be mixed into your Lab and work together to complete the projects. AeroLab is not based on grade levels and focuses on helping all students achieve success. Middle school students will be with other middle schooler’s and the same for high school students.
What will we do?
5th Day activities range from team-building and leadership games to hands-on project and problem-based learning to design challenges and social impact projects. As the year progresses, projects will increase in depth and complexity and teams will begin designing their own design challenges to tackle.
Do I get to keep the stuff I make?
Yes! 5th Day students will spend time in the MakerStudio creating DIY projects. At the end of the year, AeroLab will host the Expo Showcase in local communities for students to demonstrate their learning and projects throughout the whole 5th Day program.
Are there any field trips?
Yes! AeroLab has field trips and activities built into the mix to give you opportunities to explore new career fields and see the world through the eyes of students just like you. When we build the schedule for your unique AeroLab site, we will share more details.
What kind of projects will we do?
The AeroLab curriculum includes a huge variety of games, activities, hands-on projects and design challenges. Our main goal is to keep students moving and keep the energy grooving!
What do I bring?
We’ve got the basics covered! Your instructor might ask you to bring some simple materials from home, so stay tuned. We’ll have snacks and lunch available for you at 5th Day and will give more details about that when you complete your registration.
What about real school?
Students and parents must complete core academic requirements on their own. AeroLab does not fulfill the regular education requirements as mandated by the Colorado Department of Education.
Is AeroLab for a grade?
AeroLab is competency-based education where mastery replaces grades and tests. Instructors will help you learn and practice the skills needed in your Lab to make your project the best it can be. They will not expect you to be an expert but will encourage you to do your very best work and try hard.
Badges, Capstones and Diploma Endorsements!
Colorado AeroLab offers unique opportunities for high school students to:
- Create Capstone projects and a digital portfolio to fulfill Colorado high school graduation requirements;
- Earn the STEM High School Diploma Endorsement as approved in HB 17-1201 by the Colorado Legislature. This endorsement is a mark of distinction for high school graduates to show college admissions officers and employers that students have excelled in science, technology, engineering and math education.
- Earn the Postsecondary Workforce Readiness High School Diploma Endorsement
- Essential Success Skills badges
AeroLab is specifically designed to help students earn these credentials for future success. More on this coming soon!
How Do I Sign Up?
Welcome! Go to the Enroll Here page to get started!