Every year, the Fund for the Future (formerly Fund-a-Need) portion of the auction is dedicated to a specific need of the school. This year, the fund will be dedicated to Science and Maker programs, specifically to building “Dream Labs.”

Imagine a space where our children can bring together science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and use their two languages to explore scientific and design thinking. We are always looking for ways to expand and improve our engaging, hands-on science curriculum. We imagine that each child is excited for Science class and maker time and for their chance to discover a space dedicated to these subjects.

To bring our vision to life, we need a space where students can question, collaborate, experiment, sometimes fail, and try again. We need a space that nurtures hands-on, active learning, and that allows the seamless integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. This space is our “Dream Lab.” 

At both the Lower and Middle Schools, these “Dream Labs” will be part maker space, part traditional science lab. They will have tools that are accessible and useful for students of all ages— for example, a weather station that lets first graders observe a simple graph showing how rainfall varies by season, and gives fifth graders the data to analyze the connection between atmospheric pressure and rainfall. Each student, no matter their grade level, will be able to use this space for interdisciplinary activities that enrich their entire learning experience.

The possibility of designing projects that engage all the senses and help students understand concepts in a new way is exciting. These “Dream Labs” will inspire our teachers, students, and our community as a whole to become creative thinkers who are ready to contribute to a better 21st century. Now that’s a dream worth fighting for.