Whittier STEAM Lab

Inside the STEAM Lab: Learning That Comes to Life

Step into the school’s STEAM Lab and it’s immediately clear why students love it. Funded through family donations to the PTA, the lab has become a vibrant hub for hands-on learning, creativity, and collaboration—one that is making a meaningful difference across classrooms.

Teachers say the STEAM Lab provides powerful opportunities for students to engage in ways that traditional settings don’t always allow. “I see students who struggle in traditional classrooms absolutely shine in the STEAM lab,” one teacher shared. Others highlight the collaborative nature of the space, noting how students problem-solve together and celebrate each other’s ideas. The hands-on format supports all learners by giving students multiple, meaningful ways to show what they know.

Students echo that enthusiasm. Many describe the STEAM Lab as their favorite place to learn. “We get to make stuff,” one student explained, while another said, “I feel like a scientist in here.” Several students shared that the lab helps them think differently and makes learning more fun because they are actively doing, building, and experimenting—often alongside friends.

Teachers also appreciate how easy it is to use the lab. Classes can bring their own project ideas or ask for suggestions, with the lab coordinator handling setup and materials. One teacher shared that their class has already visited the lab multiple times and that students are consistently engaged and eager to return.

The success of the STEAM Lab is a direct result of PTA funding and family support, which provide the supplies, equipment, and coordination needed to make this space accessible to all students. As one teacher put it, the lab has become “a fun place for ALL of my students to learn and grow.”

For families wondering how PTA donations make an impact, the answer can be found in the STEAM Lab—where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and learning truly comes to life.

Have questions about the STEAM Lab? Contact Mr. Habib, our Enrichment Coordinator, for more.