Case Study: Catlin Gabel School inspires hands-on STEAM learning with SAM Labs

The Joy of Teaching STEAM through Tinkering with Technology

Catlin Gabel School in Portland, OR, worked with SAM Labs to support STEAM and coding learning from preschool through high school. Educator Rob van Nood wanted to create environments where students could ask big questions, collaborate, solve problems together, and overcome misconceptions that coding and STEAM are boring or out of reach. The school used the SAM Labs STEAM Kit to support this hands-on approach.

SAM Labs helped Catlin Gabel School implement a “tinkering with technology” model that encouraged student-led exploration and discovery. The result was stronger engagement, more curiosity, and exciting classroom projects such as musical instruments, vending machines, and remote-control cars; Rob also noted that the partnership was reliable because SAM Labs quickly replaced broken products.

Catlin Gabel School

Rob van Nood

Education Technology Specialist