Catalyst Lab

BVR 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 to turn 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 half of the term, students collaborate with an external community partner to develop ideas that address an authentic, human-centered challenge. This shared project builds core skills in the design thinking process, project management, research, stakeholder engagement, and iterative prototyping. In the second half of the term, 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 outside mentors, speakers, and field trips—the course is intentionally structured to support students who are new to the design process while also challenging more advanced innovators to deepen their craft. There will be a follow-up application process for interested students and it is available for honors credit.

• Interests: Design, Hands On
• Grades: 10th, 11th, 12th
• Subjects: None