School Programs

In 2023-24 we have a variety of opportunities for students to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) as part of the MCDS Strategic Initiative: Innovation and Creativity. These opportunities primarily operate out of the Mt. Art room on the MCDS campus.

The Makers’ Lab believes that being innovative and creative is required for being successful in the 21st century. Every day we help students connect their passions with new skills and knowledge for solving a wide variety of challenges both in the classroom and in the world.

Because when students learn how to harness their passion they’ll work hard, take risks and learn to fail in innovative and creative ways. Its with those failures that students become the people who make society great.

Tinkering during the school day! (M, T, W, Th, F)
Students can come to the Makers’ Lab and tinker! We offer a multitude of tools, materials and play things to allow students to tinker, build, play, puzzle, inquire and imagine. When the tinkering stops projects tend to start. Each project is pitched to Matt Pearson for access to materials and space to explore the possibilities. This is drop in with no commitment, that is until your idea gets pitched and becomes a project!

Upper School Tinker Times
M-F 9:45-10:10
Mon/Tue/Thu 12:25-12:45
Mon/Tue/Thu 1:05-1:25

Lower School Tinker Times are taking place in the classroom.

Afterschool! (Tuesday)

What: The Tech Challenge
Grades: 5-8
When: Thu 3:30-4:45 (sessions start 11/28/2023)
Where: Mt. Art & Creek Art classroom, Makers’ Lab

Showcase on TBD at the Tech Interactive in San Jose

How: Registration Info and Forms

The Tech Challenge is an annual team design challenge put on by The Tech Interactive (San Jose) for students in grades 5-8 that introduces and reinforces the science and engineering design process with a hands-on project geared to solving a real-world problem. The 2024 challenge has been announced! We will kick off the season on Tuesday 11/28/22 at 3:30 in the Step-up Quad.

Students join a team and commit to Tuesday practice until the big Showcase Day in April '24. Students without a team will be placed on a team. Come and check it out with no commitment!

More info at https://www.thetech.org/thetechchallenge

Makers' Lab Tech Challenge Announcement

Makers’ Lab pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/makerslab

2024 Flyer :

2020 Flyer:

Edit