From coding and computational thinking to engineering and robotics, Pine Crest students learn by designing, building, testing and refining their ideas. Specialized classrooms, makerspaces and innovation labs provide the tools and technology to bring learning to life, while courses and competitive teams give students opportunities to deepen their skills, collaborate with peers and tackle increasingly complex challenges.
Across every division, students engage in hands‑on problem‑solving and creative exploration that prepares them to think critically, design boldly and apply their learning to real‑world challenges.
In The Lower School
Beginning in pre-kindergarten, Lower School students learn programming languages using unplugged activities to stimulate their computational thinking.
They spend time in our Zimmerman or Mintz Family Innovation Labs, or iLabs, building structures out of materials like Keva planks. Students have opportunities to explore entrepreneurial concepts with activities that encourage creativity and problem-solving with signature school activities such as the Unicorn Trap.
Circuitry, Construction and Competition
Students learn through play by exploring tools that expose them to robotics, circuitry and construction fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
By the time students are in fourth grade, they are prepared with skills and have the opportunity to compete in local and national robotics competitions.
In TheMiddle School
Middle School students write programs and applications in coding languages like Python; use virtual and artificial reality software to explore ancient cities, human blood cells and design and build underwater robots to move through obstacle courses in the pool.
Technology Student Association (TSA)
Beginning in Middle School, students may participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA) teams, competing in a multitude of categories ranging from 3D animation and architectural design to transportation modeling and biotechnology.
In TheUpper School
Upper School students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) and Post-AP Computer Science courses such as Artificial Intelligence. They design and iterate using sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software, and may compete in one of three FIRST® Tech Challenge robotics teams.
