We’re excited to share a new immersive course experience for 10th-12th grades—on campus at Beaver—launching winter term 26–27.
WHAT IT IS
Catalyst Lab is a hands-on, innovation- and design-process-centered course that meets on campus for two blocks during the term and guides students in turning ideas into impact. Creative students gain structure and tools to organize their ideas, while analytical students stretch their creative muscles in a dynamic, feedback-rich environment.
During the first phase of the class, students collaborate with an external community partner to develop ideas that address an authentic, human-centered challenge. This shared project builds core skills in design thinking, project management, research, stakeholder engagement, and iterative prototyping. Then, in phase two of the class, students apply those skills more independently to an idea of their choice grounded in a unifying theme and present their work publicly.
Co-taught by an R+D team member and a rotating faculty partner—and enriched by external mentors, speakers, and field trips—the course is intentionally structured to support students new to the design process while also challenging more advanced innovators to deepen their craft. The skills students develop will transfer to all their classes and SDPs—giving students a stronger foundation for planning and executing their own ideas at Beaver and beyond.
THE PILOT: WINTER 26–27
The first Catalyst Lab will be co-taught by Director of Research + Design Blake St. Louis and Visual Arts Department Head David Ingenthron in the winter term of the 26-27 school year. Students will work with Boston Children’s Hospital on a real design challenge: adapting go-karts for children with limited mobility.
HOW TO SIGN UP
Students will have the opportunity to register for Catalyst Lab during the 26-27 course registration process. Because this is a pilot, there will be a follow-up application process for interested students. More details will be shared soon.
Catalyst Lab gives students more time to go beyond their initial idea. They’re designing for a real-world client addressing a real-world challenge, and by expanding the amount of time they have to go through multiple iterations, we help them see the complexity of bringing ideas to life. My hope is that through this course students gain a deeper appreciation for the depth of knowledge and skills that practitioners have in these spaces, and are inspired to explore these topics in college and in their careers.
Blake St. Louis, Director of Research + Design
Catalyst Lab: At a Glance
Launching winter 26-27.
One-term course that meets in two consecutive blocks (not E-block)
Open to students in grades 10-12.
On campus in a dedicated space where students can leave projects in progress.
Students earn both elective credit and credit in the partnering discipline (winter 26–27: visual arts).
Honors credit available.