Lego robotics, recording studios, and visual arts are some of the many classroom spaces educators, creative industry professionals, and over 100 guests viewed during the two-day Community for Creativity Open House at Rising Starr Middle School.

Community for Creativity is a new program in the school system allowing middle school students to connect with mentors in areas such as film and television, the recording/music industry, computer science/software, multiple types of engineering, etc.

As guests walked into Rising Starr Middle, they were greeted with several musical numbers from creative arts students playing the piano, violin, and singing.  

Students in the program gave guests an exclusive tour providing “many of our industry partners an inside look at current initiatives in Fayette County Public Schools, and how they can help us build a Community for Creativity that can support our local creative industries,” says program facilitator Christy Todd. 

In the technology lab, guests explored various modules including drone research, Lego robotics, game design, 3-D printing, virtual reality, etc. 

Enjoying the tranquility of the sensory room, guests learned that the room is used as therapeutic space with a variety of equipment that helps students calm and focus themselves so they can be better prepared for learning and interacting with others. 

In the chorus room, guests experienced a high-quality recording studio where students have the opportunity to write and record their own songs using various music apps. 

Todd hosted a special question and answer session giving visitors an opportunity to gain more information about the Community for Creativity. 

Guests also heard from several students who talked about their experiences in the program thus far, and expressed their excitement to see the program grow to help other students in the county. 

“This event gave our students an opportunity to practice implementing important career soft skills, along with facilitating conversations with visiting guests that worked in career fields they may be interested in pursuing,” Todd says.