KCSOS announces plans to open STEAM Learning Center in early 2025

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The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), in partnership with Chevron, announced its plans for The STEAM Yard, a first-of-its-kind educational center dedicated to fostering student growth through an innovative, student-centered approach. The STEAM Yard will be located at KCSOS's Learning Center, 2020 K St., Bakersfield, and is expected to open in early 2025 after improvements to the facility are completed.

To make way for The STEAM Yard, KCSOS will temporarily close its Materials Lab - a center where teachers can access affordable printing, laminating and cutting resources - and relocate it to the Christine Lizardi Frazier Student Services Center at 1675 Chester Ave. The Materials Lab closed on Sept. 11 and will reopen later this fall.

Through a curriculum centered around math, science, engineering, art and computer science, the STEAM Yard will provide Kern County school districts with standards-based field trip opportunities, after school camps, a curriculum and materials lending library and an integrated college and career pathways component. By seamlessly weaving together before camp preparation, immersive hands-on experiences during camp sessions and subsequent follow-up instruction back at the school site, the center aims to ensure a holistic educational approach for both students and teachers.

"The STEAM Yard's core objective lies in nurturing growth through student-centered activities that encompass a dynamic learning journey," said KCSOS's Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer Cole Sampson. "These hands-on experiences within the lab environment are being carefully designed to empower students with practical knowledge and opportunities to apply new skills, aligning their academic progress with grade-level standards and big ideas."

The public will also be invited to participate in the learning and fun. Interactive STEAM nights and Saturday family make-and-take workshops are being planned.

"Our goal is to bring families together and promote STEAM education, highlighting its importance and impact on the future," Sampson said. "We are so excited to give students and families a place to come and let their creativity and curiosity run free."

More information about this exciting initiative will be released in the coming months, including a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony and public access opportunities.