Bringing Ideas to Life

Bringing Ideas to Life

When Dan and Marge Moore first visited Hathaway Brown’s IDEA Lab in 2021, they were impressed. An acronym for Invention, Design, Engineering, Art, it was a place where they saw an opportunity to support hands-on learning in STEM. As with so many things the Moores become passionate about through learning, refining and tinkering, an idea began to take shape and grow. The end result is the newly opened 4,000-squarefoot facility designed to empower students to become the problem solvers, engineers, and thought leaders of tomorrow: the Marge and Dan Moore Makerspace.

The Marge and Dan Moore Makerspace is an inspiring environment where students of all ages are empowered to engage with STEM concepts and foster creativity through hands-on learning. The space supports cross-divisional learning, allowing students to explore various forms of craftsmanship and engineering. From woodworking with HB’s Pre-K boys and girls to 3D printing and welding with Middle and Upper School students, learning comes to life in tangible ways. The space is also home to Hathaway Brown’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, The Fighting Unicorns. Composed of 45 Upper School students, the team has competed in the World Championship three times in the past ten years, most recently in 2023. This past March, The Fighting Unicorns competed at the Buckeye Regional, where they received the Excellence in Engineering award. This award recognizes the team which best demonstrates a professional approach to the engineering and design process.

At the heart of the Marge and Dan Moore Makerspace is the idea of exploration, where students are encouraged to embrace the process of learning through trial, error, and experimentation. Dan Moore’s early experiences of tinkering with mechanical objects, taking things apart, and figuring out how they worked have shaped his belief in the importance of hands-on learning. This philosophy underpins the Makerspace, where students not only create, but also gain insights into the inner workings of technology and design. “Fabulous teachers and thoughtful coursework are critical parts of STEM and ignite interest, but there’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty in the workshop to demonstrate the principles learned in the classroom,” Dan shares.

Having spent 4 years teaching science and 17 years as the science lab manager at University School, Marge Moore has a passion for hands-on teaching. Marge emphasizes the importance of early exposure to creative problem-solving and innovation,“It is critical to open the eyes of students early,” she says. “There are so many possibilities for students today to create solutions and invent new ideas.”

Together, the Moores have created a space that demystifies invention and design, opening doors to a wide array of possibilities for students. What has most surprised Leah Ridgeway Jackson ‘99, Director of the IDEA Lab, about the space and the students? Just HOW much the students have leaned into the dirty work, how much they love to be covered in mess, in sawdust, paint and any other material. The breadth of things the students want to try is never ending, from welding to a sewing trend they see on TikTok. “There is a willingness to embrace the unknown and to try new things and the confidence that each new project brings is evident,” she shares.

One standout moment Jackson recalls is helping a Middle School student overcome her fear of welding, a process that not only resulted in a beautifully crafted piece, but also a newfound confidence in the student. These experiences reinforce the Makerspace’s goal to go beyond just creating objects—it’s about building character, fostering resilience, and gaining confidence to try new things. “The Makerspace is more than a classroom,” explains Dan. “It is an avenue to introduce students to concepts, industries, and career paths they may not have considered before.”

It’s a place where students don’t just learn how to build or create—they learn essential life skills, they gain confidence, and learn about the value of persistence in bringing ideas to life. It’s also about the journey, it’s about the people.

It’s about Learning for Life.