A Space for Wonder

On Sunday, February 1, the Oakwood community celebrated the opening of the Da Vinci Lab, a new space at the elementary campus designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and innovation, with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Families, faculty, and friends gathered for an afternoon of exploration, inspiration, and joyful discovery. Rooted in Oakwood’s philosophy, the Da Vinci Lab is a living expression of how students learn best, setting the tone for a celebration filled with warmth, enthusiasm, and a shared spirit of possibility.

During the event, guests explored four interactive learning zones—HEAD, HAND, EYE, and HEART—with Oakwood students and faculty guiding them through hands-on activities and teacher-led demonstrations. The afternoon also included inspiring remarks from Elementary School Principal Denise Ross, who brought the vision for this space from concept to reality and reflected on the significance of the moment.

In her remarks, Denise spoke to both the purpose of the lab and the meaning behind its name. “Many schools have STEAM labs, Makerspaces, or innovation labs,” she shared, “and many of their projects are similar to what you might see here at Oakwood. I’m sure their goals for their students are similar to ours, as well.” What sets the Da Vinci Lab apart, she explained, is its origin story. Leonardo da Vinci, widely regarded as an early architect of STEAM, connected and wove together multiple disciplines. His learning journey, driven by curiosity rather than formal education, mirrors Oakwood’s belief in how children construct meaning: through inquiry, integration, and exploration.

“FROM THE HEAD, students will learn to actively construct meaning from their curiosity, wonderings, and questions. FROM THEIR EYES AND HANDS, they will bring to life their imagination and creativity. And FROM THE HEART, they will develop their passion, their empathy, and their sense of responsibility to recognize the value of innovation and invention in solving problems in their immediate community and the wider world.”

Denise Ross, Elementary School Principal

This journey to the opening ceremony was thoughtfully prepared long before the ribbon was cut. In the days leading up to the opening, teachers immersed themselves in experiences designed to mirror what students will encounter in the lab. Rather than simply being told how to use the space, Oakwood Elementary Campus faculty were invited to experience it.

Denise shares that the day began with reflection and conversation about curiosity and questioning. Teachers explored da Vinci’s learning process through video and literature, and discussed the concept of a “provocation,” an intentional invitation designed to spark wonder and inquiry. The Da Vinci Lab is not a traditional class with prescribed lessons; it begins with questions. Teachers explored how an image, an object, or even a simple prompt can inspire students to think deeply before jumping into a concept. The goal is to help children learn how to ask meaningful questions and pursue their curiosity.

In the days leading up to the opening celebration, students shared their hopes and excitement for this new shared space. In a special video created for the opening, they reflect on what the Da Vinci Lab means to them, what they’re most curious to explore, and how they imagine their ideas coming to life.

With the Da Vinci Lab now officially open, the core message is clear: this is a space where thinking is visible, curiosity is valued, and learning begins with wonder. The Da Vinci Lab stands as both a tribute to a timeless way of learning and a promise to Oakwood students that their questions matter and their journey of discovery has only just begun.