Lowellville classroom is evolving tech lab

LOWELLVILLE

Classroom 43 at Lowellville schools has gone through $60,000 worth of changes the past decade.

Geno Thomas, superintendent of Lowellville schools, said the classroom houses a “constantly evolving” tech lab for middle school and high school students.

“The board of education has committed that money to that room in an effort to expand students’ knowledge in those kinds of career fields,” Thomas said.

Rich Popio, teacher and technology coordinator at Lowellville schools, has taught in that classroom since the school was built about 10 years ago. He said he’s watched the room progress from a basic classroom to a modern tech lab, filled with robots, model airplanes, bridges and computers. Most recently, Popio said the school purchased a 3-D printer and welding simulator for the classroom.

“What we’re trying to accomplish is to remain current,” Thomas said.

Read more about this unusual education effort in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.