Innovation Lab students connect through Crew | News Post – Northshore School District

The Innovation Lab High School Crews are working hard to continue coming together as a community and working on themselves as individuals. At ILHS, Crew is a daily class that remains together as a team for all four years at the school, with the same students and advisor. During Crew, there is a lesson every day, working on building trust with one another through conversations and providing time for students to reflect on their learning and their goals. 

This month, Crews are working on enhancing the skills they learned at camp at the start of the school year, whether it was Camp Cedar Springs (for ninth-graders) or at Innovation Lab (for tenth-twelfth graders).

The ninth-graders were able to begin building the foundation of their Crew Community through group obstacles, such as balancing a fulcrum, shelter and fire building, and walking a tightrope. They also participated in individual events such as the Giant Swing and Tree Climb. They were able to come together as the class of 2026 during Gaga Ball, dinner, and the bonfire. Students and advisors connected, created friendships, and enjoyed their time together.

The upper grades participated in camp at Innovation Lab, where they were able to strengthen their Crew bonds, compete in Lego challenges, participate in student-led forums on improvements to the school, and brainstorm how they can make this the best year Innovation Lab has had. All Crews were able to strengthen their bonds as a community through camp, build trust, and set them up to continue to grow as a Crew.  

Crew is decidedly underway, as they are about halfway through the Agency Unit. Crew members will be able to answer, “How am I an agent of my own learning and growth?” Through weekly Crew conversations and discussion feedback, writing reflections, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) goals, monthly cooperation challenges, and portfolio reflections Crew mates will learn and work toward achieving skills in perseverance and personal reflection.

Students create SMART goals in Crew, but these achievement goals are used throughout the semester and/or year in other classes. It gives them the opportunity to reflect on their learning and what they need to improve to reach their desired goals. Teachers will often refer to SMART goals when giving feedback to students.

Crew members partake in a daily greeting and conversation about previous topics through different prompts, TED Talks, crew activities, games, and reflecting on their learning, participation, and growth. They’re able to take ownership of their learning and recognize their growth in Crew, the classroom, and hopefully outside of school.

Cooperation is a large part of Crew, and each crew will participate in different cooperation challenges on Wednesdays. These challenges range from the game “The Floor is Lava,” blindfolded navigation, building a structure, or long-distance charades. A student has the option to NOT participate in any activity, but they are requested to offer support to their Crew mates.

Crew members will be assessed on how well they consistently took other ideas, opinions, and perspectives into consideration, negotiated and compromised, as appropriate, actively attempted to resolve conflict between other members of the team, and actively attempted to assist others without taking over.

A lot is happening in Crew at Innovation Lab, but they’re not forgetting to have fun. Every Friday has been declared a FUN FRIDAY during Crew! Each Friday has a different theme. Buddy Fridays pairs two crews together for an activity of choice and Crew Choice means each Crew does what is right for them. Crews have the option to go outside, take a walk, play a game, etc. The ninth-grade Crews recently joined forces for an epic game of kickball.

Congratulations to the students and staff at Innovation Lab High School for the work they are doing to build welcoming, supportive environments for each and every person on campus.