September Groundbreaking Set for IDEA Space KC

The Barstow School will break ground in September for IDEA Space KC, an innovative regional resource where kindergarten-grade 12 students throughout Kansas City will explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).
IDEA Space, located at 12200 State Line Road in Leawood, Kansas, will be a 32,000 square foot STEAM center open to public, private and home school students throughout the Kansas City metro area.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption to education in recent times. IDEA Space KC will play a vital and unique part in our region’s educational recovery and impact thousands of students,” Barstow President Shane Foster said. “It will meet the critical need for programs and spaces where children can regain lost learning and build new knowledge and skills through hands-on, experiential and collaborative learning.” 

IDEA Space will provide programming through after-school programs, summer camps and school and non-profit partnerships that broaden and diversify pipelines into four key workforce development areas: skilled trades, engineering, advanced manufacturing and computer science. Students will have access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment in the Makerspace, Technology Lab, Fabrication Workshop and Incubation Hub. 

The Sunderland Foundation will give $4 million to the project, the largest donation in school history. Combined with recent grants from the William T. Kemper Foundation — Commerce Bank, Trustee, The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation, and other gifts, Barstow has now reached 70% of its $8 million fundraising goal. 

“These transformational gifts are an investment not only in students’ futures, but also our entire community’s future,” Vice President of External Development Jennifer Dreiling said. “We are very grateful for the generosity the community is pouring into this project and the enthusiasm that is building for the educational opportunities IDEA Space will create.”

Construction will begin in September with a projected opening date in 2022.

Contact: 
Lisa Tulp, Director of Marketing & Communication
Office: 816.277.0416
Cell: 816.617.4864
Email: lisa.tulp@barstowschool.org

Jennifer Dreiling, Vice President of External Advancement
Cell: 913-488-8192
Email: jennifer.dreiling@ideaspacekc.org

About The Barstow School
Founded in 1884, The Barstow School promotes sound scholarship and the symmetrical development of mind, body and character for students in preschool through grade 12. Through rigorous academics, robust arts offerings, a signature STEAM program, outstanding athletics and a strong focus on character development, Barstow cultivates creativity, critical thinking, purpose and passion in every student. For more information: www.barstowschool.org.
About IDEA Space KC:
Innovation, Discovery, Entrepreneurship and Arts
IDEA Space KC is a mutually supportive space in south Kansas City where students and educators explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) through consistent, ongoing learning experiences. 
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