Names for Computer Labs

I remember back in the early 90’s when simply the name “Computer Lab” was exotic and cool enough. We called ours the “Bible Computer Lab’.  Eventually we added Bible murals, timelines, and other “about the Bible” decor.

As Computer Labs became more numerous, in part due to the spread of the Workshop Rotation Model, it became common to see computer labs with theme decors and special names that fit in with an overall theme. For example, one Sunday School had a railroad theme for all its workshops. Their computer lab became “Information Station.” Without the overall train theme, “Information Station” wouldn’t sound so good to me. But it makes perfect sense in that church’s scheme. I think that’s the way it is with a lot of the names below. Some of the names on this list below I wouldn’t choose, but I’m sure they make sense to that church in their context.

<>< Neil MacQueen

More photos of computer labs.

These customer-submitted names are some of my favorites…

• “The Mouse Trap” -I really like this one and can’t recall which church shared it with me. It gives you some images to design with and the word “trap” is funny (the parents will get it too). Years ago I tacked two real traps to the ceiling of my lab and hung dead (computer) mice from them. Folks loved that. Another reason I like it is that we often think of the Church Mouse as a character. In this name, thekids are the characters! How appropriate.
• SonScreen, submitted by Craig from Epworth UMC, Huntsville, AL
• The Disciple’s Digital Den  -But ONLY if you explain what a “Den” is, and never EVER refer to it as “Den of iniquity” or “Den of thieves” 😉
• “The Mouse’s Pad” -everything around the monitors looks like the inside of a mouse’s home, right down to the little fridge with its shopping list of mouse groceries.  “Mouse House”
• “House of the Mouse”
• “The Disc Drive-In” 200 computer discs hanging from the ceiling and our walls are painted black and silver.
• “Fish & Chips” -from Julia at Fondren Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS. This one makes me laugh and both images work on two levels.
• “Bug Bytes” from a church who’s rotation program is called “God’s Garden”
• “Fish Bytes” –this is preferable to the double entendre of “Church Bytes” (“bites” in 1970’s & 80’s American slang means “is bad”)
• Screen Savior -wouldn’t call my lab this but funny!
• “Circuit Riders” (a la John Wesley). If I was a Methodist I’d pick Circuit Riders. Several United Methodist churches submitted this one.

My Presbyterian heritage might inspire:

• “God’s Frozen Computers”
•  “Warning, Your System is Currently Unstable”
• “PC”-USA
• “The Presbyterian Blue-Screen of Death”   (alright, no email please).

What do we call the computer lab in MY church? 

I’ve launched labs in several of my own churches by many different names. “Bible Surf Shack” was my favorite.

Lab Naming Cautions

Watch your language… The word “Cyber” is ominous sounding to some folks. The same goes for “Web.” To some the word “web” has negative connotations, as in “caught in a web.” I’m wondering about the word “Cable” seen in one of the names above. My cables are a mess behind my computer. “Bytes” means “isn’t good” in slang. “Techno” will sound cold to some people.

False Advertising? Something in my gut doesn’t like web/internet names for computer labs that don’t have internet access. However, in some of the examples above, you can see how a few have created a web address that is something quite different (dot.God, Into the Net, etc.)

Notice what the CDs spell-out.

Obscurity… I got a kick out of the use of HARDWARE components in a few of the names. Mouse works. “Disc Drive Inn” works just because it is funny, –but you almost have to now decorate the room with CDs or mice. Years ago I had two mouse traps on the ceiling of my lab with computer mice caught in them. (The Mouse Trap or Church Mouse Trap are funny sounding names that kids would like). But using “port” in a name, while clever, might not make sense to children (or some adults). Very few people will “get” the double meaning that thre are ports on a computer.

Too Cute…or too “girlie”…  Some names just won’t sound right after a while, especially to older kids and teens. Know your audience.

The Importance of Decor Good decor is better than a great name. The best name in the world can’t overcome a dumpy room.

See customer-submitted computer lab photos.