by Jacob Masterson, 8th Grade
The 2025-2026 school year forged the beginning of a new program at Noe Middle School called Learning Lab. It engages students and allows them to learn a wide variety of subjects outside of the main four – ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science. These new classes can also build on those subjects in fun and unique ways, notably the current events Learning Lab.
History, war, unlikely circumstances and more are being taught inside of Mr. Verwiebe’s current events classroom. Mr. Veebs, as he’s known to his students, discussed the significance of this class, along with the fun the students are having along the way.
“We’re watching movies that deal with special kids and their lives,” Mr. Veebs said. “And we introduce the students to history through the perspective of these young children.”
The students were watching the movie Empire of the Sun when I visited the classroom, which focuses on an English boy who lives in Shanghai, China as the Japanese invade during World War II. The boy gets captured and separated from family.
Mr. Veebs said students can apply what they learn in this class to understand how to change the world now.
“I think [this class] is a good way to have students learn about what it was like for children to experience war, and how it is happening currently,” said Veebs.
Mr. Veebs believes that his students took his class because they are intrigued by current events and film, along with getting to better understand the world they live in.
It was clear that the students were engaged and enthusiastic. They really enjoy what they do in this class.
“I love this Learning Lab,” student Henry Braden said. “It’s very chill and we learn important things from the movies that we watch in this class.”
He also mentioned that Mr. Veebs makes the class “interesting” and “educational.”
“We love it,” Krisha Patel said. “We’re all friends here, and we’ve been given the opportunity to meet new people with the same interests as us. Veebs makes this a very fun and educational environment.”
This Learning Lab is relevant to our real world, and the students have a particular interest in this matter. They crave knowledge and want to know more about the world around them. They want to contribute to positive change.
“There’s nothing not to like about this class,” Krisha mentioned.
