Create, Discover, Explore: KCSOS Announces Plans for Community STEAM Learning Center

On the heels of its annual summer camp series where smiles, high-fives, and a solid dose of “ah-ha!” moments were easy to spot, KCSOS announced today it plans to up its STEAM game by opening The STEAM Yard, a first-of-its-kind educational center dedicated to fostering student growth through an innovative, student-centered approach. Chevron is a key supporter of the project.

The STEAM Yard will be located at KCSOS’s Learning Center, 2020 K St., and is expected to open in early 2025 after improvements to the facility are completed.

To make way for the new project, 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 will close on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and reopen later this fall.

The STEAM Yard will be located on the corner of K and 21st St. in downtown Bakersfield.

Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer Cole Sampson described the project as a playground for creativity and discovery, where every day is a new adventure in learning. Innovative learning spaces will feature activities for K-8 students including robotics, a Lego wall, hydroponics, computer coding, 3D printing, graphics, maker spaces, a recording studio, sewing/fashion arts, and much more.

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 so students can see how what they are learning applies to jobs when they grow up. 

Sampson says that by seamlessly combining 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 students and teachers. 

“The STEAM Yard’s core objective lies in nurturing growth through student-centered activities that encompass a dynamic learning journey,” Sampson said. “Hands-on experiences within the lab environment are 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.  

KCSOS has hosted STEAM summer camps for students in grades K-8 for the past few summers at CALM, Buena Vista Museum, and the Kern County Museum. The STEAM Yard will add a fourth location.