• Blogs

  • Lab Stories
  • Mary's Blog
  • Mentor Blog
  • Youth Blog

• Find It

  • Volunteers
  • About The Lab
  • Empowerment
  • Volunteer at The Lab
  • Meet Our Volunteers!
  • The Lab Staff
  • Our Space
  • Schools We Serve
  • Support The Lab
  • Contact Us
  • Links
  • VISTA Positions
• Home
  

• Modalities

  • The Leadership Lab
  • The Poetry Lab
  • The Tech Lab
  • The Visual Lab
  • The Wellness Lab

Next week, our students at The Lab will be lucky to see shows by spoken word poet, performer and musician, Desdamona — and beatboxer, poet, performer, Carnage the Executioner!

These two performers have been working with us at the Lab for several years, and we are grateful for their inspiration and ability to work with Lab students in our Enrichment program.  They will work with students in writing groups and encourage students to put their own stories into poetry, both for the page, and for the stage.

Geriann, one of The Lab’s MSW Interns, has been working with youth in a Mask-making group. Students learn how to make masks in the style of puppet making used by the Minneapolis-based In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre. Youth have been exploring notions of “creative self-expression, self & identity“ through this creative activity and process.

Jennifer Troy with Paws for Learning has been making a big difference at The Lab.  She and her dogs have been facilitating groups at each Enrichment program, offering youth an opportunity to connect with dogs, and learn many valuable life lessons in the process.  Click the arrow link below to hear Mary Tinucci talk about the impact of Paws for Learning work at The Lab.

Thanks to many donors who have contributed to our recent Donors Choose.org projects, The Lab received several digital cameras and 3 HP Photo printers to use on the iMacs in the Tech Lab.

Now our students are able to participate in a cool Digital Photography unit where they work on a self-portrait project. Students learn from mentors about the camera, photography techniques and styles, and how todigitally manipulate the image using iPhoto.  In this project, they are able to leave the Lab with several 4×6 photo prints of their self-portraits. Students are gaining confidence and practiceusing the technology and developing their creative visionsthrough digital photography.

Check out these cool photos taken by some of our students!

Jesse, a student at The Lab, and Bill, a Lab volunteer (who is also a St. Paul Public Schools district painter), talk about their mentorship together, music, learning, teaching, and volunteering.

We are so fortunate to have a fantastic Team at The Lab.   Here we are after a staff meeting in January, hamming it up!    We are off to a great start to the new year, offering Enrichment programming, Staff Development sessions with staff from our 9 school sites, 1×1 youth mentorships and small group experiences for our students.

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to a successful fund drive this week for The Lab!  Thanks to 19 great donors, we raised $1005.00! Our goal is $1,000, to be matched by our Angel Donor.  We also received a digital camera, and 2 external hard drives to hold all of the great video footage and photos taken in the Tech Lab.  With these financial contributions, now can buy a few more art supplies and publish our annual youth poetry anthology in March.  Click Here to find our LAB store, where you can donate on-line, or purchase cool Lab gear.

We hope you will enjoy our updated and revived website!

We want to recognize Reid Piefer of Giant Squid Industries and REMAKERS for the donation of his time, energy, skills and creativity in meeting and working with Lab staff to improve the look and function of thelabspps.com.

Check out Reid’s new project over at REMAKERS, a site that profiles and promotes non-profits, small businesses and people making a difference! It’s really cool!

Thank you, Reid!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end, and from small beginnings come great things! Since 2000, The Lab has grown from an after school writing group at Ramsey Jr. High serving just 8 students, to an Arts and Wellness-based program serving 11 special education (EBD) programs in St. Paul Public Schools.  We now serve over 250 students, and over 100 educators in our district each year.

Now in its second year at Homecroft School, The Lab continues to grow and evolve.  The Lab has increased its commitment and services to strengthen EBD programs by providing ongoing staff development and support to teams, training and follow up on the Empowerment framework, and ongoing creative outlets for youth. Read more

Volunteer Spotlight

Eleanor Daly

Nickname: Grandma Daly or Hey, Mom!
Modality: Experiential Wellness / Sewing Group

What is your inspiration for volunteering at The Lab?
I always say, “Blame it on the Girl Scouts!” Their promise “to help other people at all times” has stuck with me for 70 years.

What is an experience or moment that has stuck out to you while volunteering at The Lab?
Recently a student came into the room, and apparently was having a bad day. I thought so, as she didn’t return my greeting or respond to several comments. However, by the end of the period we were engaged in a conversation about the approaching holiday. I felt that I had helped her improve her mood. Read more

Next Page →

• Upcoming Events

  View All Events
  no events