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A new hands-on technology lab at Bucknell Elementary School is giving students from across Fairfax County Public Schools an early opportunity to explore engineering, design and potential careers.

Created through a partnership with Virginia Tech, the Bucknell STEAM Innovation Lab opened in October 2025. Thousands of elementary students, including children as young as kindergarteners, are expected to benefit from the program.

Two classrooms at the Alexandria school are dedicated to activities combining science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. During field trips, students follow the engineering design process and create original inventions.

Bucknell Principal Rashida Green said she had already seen the program’s effect through her two daughters, who participated when they were in middle school.

“I was really excited when it was brought to us that Bucknell could be a host for it because I was able to see the magic that happens in that space,” Green said.

She said the experience introduces children to careers while encouraging critical thinking and collaboration. Her daughters, she added, left the program feeling inspired.

Bucknell students use the lab on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, working with technologies such as 3D printers and microcontrollers—small computers built onto individual chips to manage specific electronic tasks.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for field trips from other FCPS schools. Those visits began in early October. Because Bucknell is centrally located, many participating schools face bus rides of only 10 to 15 minutes each way, leaving more time for classroom activities.

During one recent lesson, Bucknell second grader Tucker studied algorithms and civil engineering.

“I like engineering,” Tucker said. “I like making new stuff.”

Program leaders say introducing students to a range of careers at an early age can help them make better-informed decisions about electives and career pathways beginning in sixth grade. The Thinkabit Lab partnership also supports the school division’s strategic goal of preparing for future innovation.