Astoria Middle School Gets New, $300K STEM Lab

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A new, $300,000 laboratory at I.S. 141 The Steinway will use 3D printers and coding robots to teach middle schoolers about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The STEM lab, which locals voted to fund during City Council Member Costa Constantinides' participatory budgeting cycle last year, will provide students with new technology for hands-on lessons in computing and other STEM fields, according to a press release.

More than 1,100 students attend the Astoria middle school at 37-11 21st Ave., according to city data.

"The community rightly recognizes the need for interactive curriculum that helps our students prepare for innovative STEM careers," Constantinides said in a statement Wednesday, as officials cut the ribbon on the new lab.

"I cannot wait to see how this lab opens up the world of science to western Queens students, so they lead the way for a brighter, greener, safer future."

This morning we christened a new STEM lab at I.S. 141, which was a winning @PB_NYC project in 2018. Astoria middle schoolers will get hands-on lessons in coding, math & technology to prepare them for the 21st century! pic.twitter.com/IVM01NZhGW

— Costa Constantinides (@Costa4NY) October 16, 2019