Collab-Lab - Collaborative for Children : Collaborative for Children
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Collab-Lab

Early Childhood education on wheels

Collab-Lab is a mobile classroom that brings critical, future-focused early childhood education directly to the community at no cost. Designed to be convenient for families, it connects parents and their youngest children with experts, educators, resources, and proven programs whose goal is to make sure that kids have the skills essential to learning from the moment they walk into kindergarten for the first time.

Click here to see where the Collab-Lab is today

Collab-Lab uses our core I Wonder curriculum, applying an innovative, hands-on, and project-based approach that utilizes 21st-century learning focused on reflection, critical thinking, technology, and problem-solving.

The curriculum is a year-long program divided into five parts that correspond to the five general attributes that Collab Kids demonstrate: a global learner, an innovative creator, a leader, a digital learner, and a problem-solver.

The curriculum primarily addresses social-emotional development while also bolstering positive child outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). We use a learning program that concentrates on:

  • Regulating reactions to emotions like frustration or excitement
  • Calming down after something exciting or upsetting
  • Focusing on a task
  • Refocusing attention on a new task
  • Controlling impulses
  • Learning behavior that helps children get along with others

The Collab-Lab helps children comprehend their feelings by applying proven study strategies, including understanding the functions of the brain and the role it plays in the process, while also building on self-esteem to help them achieve overall success. Beyond that, it integrates with the Footsteps2Brilliance’s literacy app, a mobile technology that connects a school, home, and the community to help make sure kids are school-ready.

To further ensure that children possess the tools they need for lifelong success, Collab-Lab tracks the progress of each child and family in real-time, producing measurable results that significantly improve child outcomes.

Throughout the year, families and children learn side-by-side with the help of experienced family support specialists whose goal is to make sure kids have the skills they need the moment they start school. Together, each family member and child enjoy experiences that are visual, exciting, and designed to make early learning fun for everyone. To further ensure that children possess the tools they need for lifelong success, Collab-Lab tracks the progress of each child and family in real-time, producing measurable results that significantly improve child outcomes.

Choose one of the following ways to request the Collab Lab!

Register online by clicking on this form
Collab Lab registration site

Scan the QR code and complete the event registration form
Or

Email us at mobileeducation@collabforchildren.org

Call us by phone at 713-600-1265

FAQ

What is Collab-Lab?

The Collab-Lab is an innovative mobile classroom that brings critical, future-focused early childhood education directly to the community at no cost.

Who is served by Collab-Lab?

Children, ages 3 to 5, and a member of their family.

What will children and families do when visiting the Collab-Lab?

Through the dual-generation approach to learning, children and their caregiver will work side-by-side to engage in Social and Emotional development through STEAM-focused activities.

How long is the Collab-Lab programming?

Collab-Lab will run throughout the year as a 5-unit program for children and their caregiver. Each program window is currently segmented into 12 weeks of learning.

What curriculum will be used on Collab-Lab?
  • Our core program is the I Wonder curriculum, an innovative, project-based, and play-based curriculum that utilizes 21st-century learning focused on reflection, critical thinking, technology, and problem-solving. The I Wonder curriculum is a dual-generational program divided into five units of investigation. The unit topics correspond to the five general attributes of our Collab Kid: a global learner, an innovative creator, a leader, a digital learner, and a problem-solver. These attributes consist of emotional and cognitive skills that will prepare children to overcome challenges and solve the problems that confront the world in the 21st century.
  • Two other programs will be implemented alongside the I Wonder curriculum to support the holistic development of children in the Collab-Lab. Through Conscious Discipline, a social-emotional program, children will learn skills to manage emotions and resolve conflict. Footstep2Brilliance, a digital early literacy program, will provide the lab-home connection.
What type of activities will be completed during the Collab-Lab programming?

Through the completion of 5 units of learning children will explore, actively solve problems, and take ownership of their learning. As they engage in STEAM activities, their critical executive function skills will be developed and strengthened.

How many children and families will be served by the Collab-Lab?

There will be approximately 200 children and families targeted to be served within a year.

What area will the Collab-Lab serve?
What are examples of activities that will be completed?

ROLL AND RACE ACTIVITY RAMP
Children will explore motion, friction, and cause and effect by placing e a textured path on each side of the divided wooden ramp and then compare how the different textures affect the speed and momentum of rolling objects.

3 LITTLE PIGS STEM KIT
Children will design a house from their favorite fairy tale that can’t be blown down! This activity will inspire them to explore a challenging situation until they find a solution!

CHAIN RCTN STEM SET
Children will set up a course of ramps, pendulums, hammers, switches, and more…then drop a ball onto the tracks and go for the goal box. After each test run, children will fine-tune the placement, distance, and angle of each piece—getting firsthand practice with STEM concepts such as gravity, force, and momentum.

Special thanks to these funders:

CenterPoint
Community Health Choice
ReBuild Texas
Herman F. Fleishman Foundation

If you want to learn more about the mobile education program, call 713.600.1234 or email mobileeducation@collabforchildren.org.