This semester, Tucson Hebrew Academy opened the Lions’ Discovery Den, a new maker space designed to support hands-on, collaborative STEM learning for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The Discovery Den reflects the school’s commitment to experiential learning, cross-curricular connections, and preparing students with the skills they need for a rapidly changing world.
The Lions’ Discovery Den was created by renovating the school’s former computer lab and reimagining it as a flexible, collaborative workspace. Computer tables were converted into functional work benches, a new Smart Screen was installed for instruction and demonstrations, and a dedicated 3D printing area was established. The room was intentionally organized into distinct work zones that allow multiple projects to happen simultaneously.
Students now have access to areas for music and video production and editing, a green screen for stop-motion animation and video production, and stations for coding, robotics, Arduino (an electronics platform for building digital devices and interactive projects), and computer-aided design (CAD). The Discovery Den also includes a dedicated prototyping area with tools and materials for building models and testing design ideas. Students use simulations to plan and refine their work before building, and they explore electrical concepts by designing and constructing working circuits. In addition to engineering resources, the space is stocked with a wide range of art materials that allow students to personalize their projects and incorporate artistic design, intentionally blending STEM learning with creative expression.
The Lions’ Discovery Den is not a stand-alone program. It is a shared instructional space where teachers bring students to connect STEM learning to classroom projects across disciplines. Students have used the space to model motion and energy by building Rube Goldberg machines, to explore ecology through hands-on projects that involve designing and building animal models, and to integrate Jewish learning by creating functional projects such as a light-up menorah. These experiences allow students to see how science, technology, engineering, art, and math intersect with both general studies and Judaic studies.
This year represents the first phase of a three-year plan for the Discovery Den. In addition to renovating the space, Tucson Hebrew Academy relocated much of its existing engineering equipment from the middle school science room so it could be accessed by students across all grade levels. The school invested in modeling consumables and creative materials, added futuristic design elements to the room, and began building a STEM resource library with project books and idea guides ranging from cardboard engineering to coding and game design.
Over the next two years, the school plans to continue expanding the Discovery Den. Future goals include purchasing additional 3D printers along with environmentally friendly filament options, upgrading fabrication tools with a larger vinyl cutter, and adding a laser cutter to support more detailed and durable student projects. Eventually, the school hopes to expand and remodel the adjacent library to create a unified, modern learning hub that supports research, creativity, and technology integration.
Through the Lions’ Discovery Den, students are learning to think critically, solve problems creatively, collaborate effectively, and approach challenges with persistence. The space represents a forward-looking investment in education while remaining rooted in the school’s mission to develop thoughtful, capable learners and critical thinkers who are prepared to engage meaningfully with the world around them.
This three-year project is partially funded through a generous grant from Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona — investing in multiple areas of educational growth and expansion at THA.
