Creative & Collaborative Thinking
Ages 9–11
Bold Ideas Need Creative Thinkers.
This advanced four-week enrichment lab challenges students to think strategically, solve complex problems, design original solutions, and communicate their ideas with confidence.
Students work in teams to plan, build, test, revise, and present ambitious projects. Each challenge incorporates creativity, engineering, decision-making, leadership, communication, and real-world problem-solving in an engaging, hands-on format.
Questions before registering? Contact Laila.
Four Advanced Team Challenges
Use the arrows to explore what students will experience each week.
Design the Ultimate Theme Park
Teams become theme park designers responsible for creating an exciting, organized, and financially realistic destination.
- Select a theme and target audience
- Plan rides, attractions, food, and guest services
- Make choices within a project budget
- Create and present a persuasive client pitch
Mars Colony Challenge
Students design a functioning Mars settlement where human colonists can safely live, work, grow food, and respond to unexpected emergencies.
- Plan systems for food, water, energy, and shelter
- Assign specialized roles within the colony team
- Respond to surprise problem cards
- Defend design choices during a final presentation
Build a Smart City
Teams design a connected city that balances transportation, housing, sustainability, safety, technology, and quality of life.
- Plan neighborhoods and essential services
- Design efficient roads and transportation systems
- Incorporate green spaces and sustainable features
- Negotiate how individual sections connect
Shark Tank Inventors
Students identify a real-world problem, develop an original invention, create a prototype, and pitch their idea to an audience.
- Identify a meaningful problem to solve
- Sketch, build, and improve a prototype
- Create a product name, brand, and marketing message
- Deliver a persuasive Shark Tank-style pitch
Each project is carefully planned by an experienced certified teacher. Students receive clear expectations, purposeful team roles, planning tools, and guidance while still having the freedom to make meaningful decisions, develop original ideas, and take ownership of their work.
Give your child a place to think bigger.
Join us for four advanced weeks of innovation, teamwork, problem-solving, and confident communication.
Created by a Certified Teacher
Every Creative & Collaborative Thinking challenge is intentionally designed by Laila Modzelewski, a master’s-level certified educator with more than 13 years of classroom experience.
Activities encourage older learners to analyze problems, communicate clearly, consider different perspectives, test ideas, and work collaboratively toward thoughtful solutions.
Learn More About LailaFrequently Asked Questions
Here are a few helpful details before your child joins the lab.
What makes this class different from the younger group?
Challenges for ages 9–11 involve more advanced planning, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. Children will be encouraged to explain their reasoning, evaluate different ideas, revise their work, and collaborate more independently.
Does my child need any special experience?
No prior experience is required. Children do not need to be advanced builders, artists, or public speakers. Each learner can contribute through planning, designing, creating, testing, organizing, presenting, or improving ideas.
What skills will my child strengthen?
Children will strengthen creative thinking, communication, collaboration, planning, leadership, flexibility, perseverance, critical thinking, and the ability to reflect on and improve their work.
What if my child is shy or prefers working independently?
Children will never be pressured to perform or speak before they feel ready. Activities provide multiple ways to contribute, and the small-group format allows quieter learners to participate gradually while building confidence.
What should my child bring?
All challenge materials are included. Please send your child with a labeled water bottle and comfortable clothing suitable for building, creating, moving, and working with a variety of materials.
What happens if my child misses a class?
Because each session includes specially prepared materials and small-group instruction, missed classes cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
Ready to Think Bigger?
Join us for four engaging weeks of creative challenges, teamwork, strategic thinking, hands-on problem-solving, and meaningful collaboration.
All four 75-minute sessions and challenge materials are included.
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