Dan & Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space KC
One Day at IDEA Space KC: Creativity in Every Corner
There are days at IDEA Space KC when the energy is electric — when every studio, lab and learning nook hums with imagination, invention and “What if” moments. A recent November day proves the point. All day, IDEA Space overflowed with young makers, coders, artists and engineers designing, building and dreaming big. It was a perfect snapshot of what makes IDEA Space one of the best STEAM learning hubs in the region.
Morning Makers and Innovators
We kicked off the day with visiting students from the Kearney School District, who spent the morning exploring robotics and engineering. With gears spinning and prototypes evolving, they embraced the challenge of iterative problem-solving — a hallmark of high-quality STEAM education.
Meanwhile, The Barstow School’s Sixth Grade Experience students stepped into the world of digital creation. Students begin by sketching isometric views, analyzing constraints and applying precise measurement skills before moving into 3D modeling software to design their custom puzzle cube pieces. From there, they cut, assemble and test their creations, iterating as real engineers do. Every click, measurement and revision brought them deeper into the design-thinking process that fuels many STEM careers.
Students Engineer for the Community
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Computer Integrated Manufacturing students spent their day on meaningful, real-world engineering. Their ongoing task: design new entrance lettering and braille signage for Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. Through sketches, prototypes and empathy-driven research, they demonstrated how STEAM learning empowers students to create inclusive solutions that support their community.
Storytelling Meets Technology
In the digital media studio, eighth graders transformed literature into immersive technology. After reading Sandra Cisneros’ novel, “The House on Mango Street,” students engineered their own augmented reality scenes by layering visuals, audio and interactive storytelling into immersive AR experiences. Students also used the ChompSaw, a kid-safe power cutting tool, to design and make three-dimensional cardboard renderings of their novel scene. This popular project is a perfect fusion of arts and technology, showcasing the “A” for arts in STEAM.
Afternoon Adventurers
When the school day ended, a new wave of students arrived. Young learners in preschool through eighth grade from across the Kansas City metro filled IDEA Space with energy during after school classes. Some explored digital creation and coding; others tackled science adventures with Club SciKids, sharpened their strategy in chess, or dove into imaginative sewing and maker projects. After school classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from August through April, providing hands-on learning for every STEAM area of interest.
And still more was happening: middle and upper school students on Barstow’s robotics teams spent their afternoon designing, building, refining and preparing robots for competitions around the city and region.
A Space Where Ideas Come to Life
This day reflected exactly what makes IDEA Space KC a leader in STEM and STEAM education in Kansas City: joyful exploration, meaningful challenges, cutting-edge tools and technology and endless opportunities to imagine, build and create.
Winter/Spring 2026 Registration Opens This November
Registration for our Winter/Spring 2026 after-school classes opens Friday, Nov. 21. Research consistently proves that ongoing, hands-on STEAM learning boosts students’ comfort in technical subjects, builds confidence and helps them envision themselves in future STEM careers. Visit our Programs page to discover all the exciting new offerings coming this season — and get ready for another inspiring semester of making, coding, designing and imagining at IDEA Space KC.
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We kicked off the day with visiting students from the Kearney School District, who spent the morning exploring robotics and engineering. With gears spinning and prototypes evolving, they embraced the challenge of iterative problem-solving — a hallmark of high-quality STEAM education.
Meanwhile, The Barstow School’s Sixth Grade Experience students stepped into the world of digital creation. Students begin by sketching isometric views, analyzing constraints and applying precise measurement skills before moving into 3D modeling software to design their custom puzzle cube pieces. From there, they cut, assemble and test their creations, iterating as real engineers do. Every click, measurement and revision brought them deeper into the design-thinking process that fuels many STEM careers.
Students Engineer for the Community
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Computer Integrated Manufacturing students spent their day on meaningful, real-world engineering. Their ongoing task: design new entrance lettering and braille signage for Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. Through sketches, prototypes and empathy-driven research, they demonstrated how STEAM learning empowers students to create inclusive solutions that support their community.
Storytelling Meets Technology
In the digital media studio, eighth graders transformed literature into immersive technology. After reading Sandra Cisneros’ novel, “The House on Mango Street,” students engineered their own augmented reality scenes by layering visuals, audio and interactive storytelling into immersive AR experiences. Students also used the ChompSaw, a kid-safe power cutting tool, to design and make three-dimensional cardboard renderings of their novel scene. This popular project is a perfect fusion of arts and technology, showcasing the “A” for arts in STEAM.
Afternoon Adventurers
When the school day ended, a new wave of students arrived. Young learners in preschool through eighth grade from across the Kansas City metro filled IDEA Space with energy during after school classes. Some explored digital creation and coding; others tackled science adventures with Club SciKids, sharpened their strategy in chess, or dove into imaginative sewing and maker projects. After school classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from August through April, providing hands-on learning for every STEAM area of interest.
And still more was happening: middle and upper school students on Barstow’s robotics teams spent their afternoon designing, building, refining and preparing robots for competitions around the city and region.
A Space Where Ideas Come to Life
This day reflected exactly what makes IDEA Space KC a leader in STEM and STEAM education in Kansas City: joyful exploration, meaningful challenges, cutting-edge tools and technology and endless opportunities to imagine, build and create.
Winter/Spring 2026 Registration Opens This November
Registration for our Winter/Spring 2026 after-school classes opens Friday, Nov. 21. Research consistently proves that ongoing, hands-on STEAM learning boosts students’ comfort in technical subjects, builds confidence and helps them envision themselves in future STEM careers. Visit our Programs page to discover all the exciting new offerings coming this season — and get ready for another inspiring semester of making, coding, designing and imagining at IDEA Space KC.
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Visiting students from Kearney, Missouri, practice robotics at IDEA Space.
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Besides programming and problem solving, robotics lessons also encourage collaboration and teamwork.
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Students in Barstow's Sixth Grade Experience use TinkerCAD to design projects.
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They are guided by faculty and staff that help them grow more comfortable and confident using technology.
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Middle school students read "The House on Mango Street," then incorporated STEAM learning into language arts by building AR scenes from the novel.
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Middle school students used Chompshop, a kid-friendly power cutting tool, to turn 2D designs into 3D projects.
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Engineering students from Barstow's upper school are managing a project for Deanna Rose Children's farmstead.
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The project involves designing braille signage for vision-impaired visitors.
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They researched, revised and are now creating the signs in the IDEA Space Fabrication Workshop.
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Dan & Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space KC
12200 State Line Road
Leawood, KS 66209
913-766-IDEA (4332) -
Art Hall
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Cassie Banka '05
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Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley
