EXSEED is pleased to announce that San Antonio Christian School (SACS), Ontario, CA, has been fully awarded the EXSEED Design Thinking Grant. This grant, totaling $25,050, will establish a new Innovation and Design Thinking Lab and fully integrate design thinking across the school’s entire TK–8 curriculum.

This initiative, led by Teaching Principal Karen Dunbar, positions SACS to transform its educational approach, ensuring students are actively engaged in problem-solving and service.

Cultivating Action and Service

SACS believes Adventist education should develop Godly interests and talents, encouraging students to serve both God and society. The goal is to make design thinking the standard method of instruction, deeply integrating the process into all subjects so that it becomes the way students experience the curriculum, rather than a separate activity.

This approach teaches students to start with empathy (finding the root cause of a problem), ideate solutions, prototype designs, and continually test their theories, ensuring they solve authentic, real-world problems.

STREAMS Focus and Key Projects

All SACS projects will follow a STREAMS focus, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Reading, and Sustainability.

The grant directly supports key projects across grade levels:

  • K–2:"Save the Turtles" project focuses on designing alternatives to plastic waste.
  • Grades 3–5: Community Garden project involves building raised garden boxes, promoting healthy eating, and making cross-curricular standards relevant through seeing, tasting, and touching the food.
  • Grades 6–8: Middle school students will engage in projects like designing small, sustainable housing.

Equipping the Innovation Lab

A significant portion of the funding is dedicated to equipping the new Innovation and Design Lab, which was already prepped by the Home and School Association. The new equipment ensures students can effectively move from abstract ideas to tangible solutions:

  • Technology: Coding and Robotics kits (Microbits, Botley 2.0, Ozobot), Circuitry (Snap Circuits, Squishy Circuits).
  • Prototyping: 3D Printer supplies (SACS already secured a donated 3D printer and Engraver), Chompsaw, and Cardboard Cutter Tools.

Partnerships Driving Success

The proposal was strongly supported by Associate Superintendent Alison Jobson. SACS is also building crucial partnerships to sustain the program:

  • Loma Linda Academy: Collaborating to share ideas and potentially organize field trips.
  • La Sierra University: Discussing future teacher training and partnership possibilities.
  • LB Landscaping: Offering discounted materials and assistance for the Community Garden project.

By fully funding this proposal, EXSEED enables San Antonio Christian School to ensure its students become critical thinkers prepared to lead and serve their communities.