2025 Program Information
Design LAB 2025: Push Play
Design LAB’s K-8 Program is a FREE, hands-on K-8 education program offered to teachers in the Cincinnati area that is focused on building awareness, knowledge, and community. This year’s theme is PUSH PLAY.
We are thrilled to announce that our program is now full for 2025! We are excited to welcome all the participating schools for the upcoming year.
For those who are still interested in applying, we encourage you to join our waitlist. If there are any openings, you will all be the first to know! Please find the waitlist application link below. Thank you for your enthusiasm and support!
We are still actively seeking volunteers! If you are interested in joining us, please apply using the registration link below.
Educators, we will respond to your classroom interest form by the end of October 2024.
If you’re looking to volunteer around the Design LAB office or to volunteer
at a Design LAB event, please use the General Volunteer Form.
2024-2025 Program Calendar
Educator Registration Opens June 10, 2024
Volunteer Registration Opens June 10, 2024
Orientation Workshop November 19, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Orientation Workshop November 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Educator-Volunteer Teams Assigned Fall 2024
Program Kick-off January 2025
Material Drive February 17, 2025
Project Drop-Off May 10, 2025 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Design LAB Exhibit Week May 10, 2025 to May 17, 2025
Design LAB Exhibit Jury Review May 12, 2025 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Design LAB Exhibit Reception May 17, 2025 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
This year, we are challenging students to expand what they think of as a play space and who it can be built for.
This is PUSH PLAY.
When we think of play spaces, we often resort immediately to the thought of a playground. These are great areas for kids to play, but people of all ages need ways to play and even kids have different interests that may be better served with play spaces that look different than a playground. This year in Design LAB, we will explore where people (or animals!) play. Who is it for? Are kids the only ones who get to use spaces like this? What about their pets at home or our elderly neighbors? How can we make the world a better place while also making it more fun?
“I learned all about teamwork. You’ve got to trust your team, especially when building.”
— 4th Grade Student
Design LAB is tailored to broaden and deepen student awareness, appreciation, and active participation in our natural and built environments. Local professionals team with educators to guide students through a real-world, themed design problem, emphasizing the development of: research, critical thinking, financial literacy, problem-solving, verbal and visual communication, creative expression, collaborative team-building, STEM and presentation skills.
Starting at the beginning of January, volunteers will be available to help with the building process of the program. Each classroom will be matched with a volunteer and students who sign up as individuals will sign up for a day/time where they can meet with a volunteer and other students via a virtual platform. Each classroom session is approximately 45-60 minutes, and is assisted in partnership with the lead educator. Essential materials including the Educator & Volunteer Resource Guide, PowerPoint kick-off presentation and tri-folds are provided by Design LAB.
Students will be challenged to research, design and build models of learning spaces. As in previous years, students will have the opportunity to create a 24″x 24″ three-dimensional model and tri-fold panels for students to describe and document their creative process including: concept images, sketches/drawings, vocabulary, budgeting, written data, planning, etc. At the end of the work period, submitted projects will be displayed during Design LAB Exhibit Week where students may present their ideas, methodology, and solutions.