and LAUSD (Courtesy photo)
Kaiser Permanente, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District, on Feb. 7 unveiled a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lab at Flournoy Elementary School in Watts that will serve the 500+-student K–5 grade school.
The lab is equipped with tools and materials that engage students in challenging STEAM-related, hands-on activities. The lab offers a bold, 360-degree, color-blocked mural that wraps the room with images of STEAM heroes and their bios in vibrant colors, inspiring students to pursue their interests and excel in the classroom. Additionally, a vivid mural at the school entrance welcomes students, parents, teachers and guests with a striking mosaic jungle complete with the school’s mascot.
“This is a new, wonderful and exciting learning opportunity for our students,” said Michael Romero, superintendent, Local District South. “It will enable our students to succeed in a way that will better prepare them for the future. Thanks to Kaiser Permanente and this new fully equipped STEAM lab, our students will be much better prepared to enter productive careers when they grow up.”
Kaiser Permanente has a long-standing commitment to improving the health and future of the communities it serves, including in South Los Angeles, according to Julie Miller-Phipps, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Health Plan and Hospitals.
“That’s why projects like this new STEAM lab are so exciting and worthwhile to us,” she said. “We know that schools are at the center of healthy communities. When children grow up to become healthy and productive adults, they contribute to the overall health and well-being of their communities, and that’s a vital part of Kaiser Permanente’s mission.”
The new STEAM lab at the school – located at 1630 111th St. – is the result of a collaboration between Kaiser Permanente and LAUSD’s Achievement Network.
As part of this project, Kaiser Permanente employees – in partnership with school staff, students and families – also painted, cleaned and assembled tables and benches on campus, planted drought-resistant plants and embellished the chain link fence to create paw prints of the school’s tiger mascot.
