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.

We offer six-week courses in the fall and spring for children and their families, aimed at equipping children with essential school readiness skills through activities and strategies from our “I Wonder” curriculum.

Children will participate in pre-and post-assessments to track their progress.

Click here if interested in joining our Collab-Lab Parents As Partners cohort?

WHAT WILL CHILDREN LEARN?

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL):

SEL skills that lay the groundwork for a well-rounded, emotionally healthy, and socially competent individual.

Self-Concept:

Activities to foster a positive sense of self.

Self-Awareness:

Activities to explore and recognize emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.

Self-Regulation:

Activities to help
manage emotions and behavior.

Relationship with Others:

Activities that promote effective
communication, cooperation,
empathy, and conflict resolution.

EMERGENT LITERACY:

Foundational skills for reading and writing that support overall literacy development.

Vocabulary Development:

Strategies for expanding word knowledge and usage.

Alphabet Knowledge:

Activities for letter recognition and letter formation.

Phonological Awareness:

Strategies to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language.

MATHEMATICS:

Activities that help build a strong foundation in math and support overall thinking skills.

Number Sense:

Activities to understand, count, and work
with numbers.

Problem-Solving Skills:

Techniques to develop logical thinking and the ability to solve simple problems.

Mathematical Relationships:

Activities that connect math concepts to real-life applications.

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 713-600-1240

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?

Click here for Collab-Lab Locations

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.

Collab-Lab

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.