Bourn Idea Lab: Makerspaces and Robotics

A middle school english class collaborates with the Bourn Lab to bring their work to life.

Creative confidence, collaboration, and technical skills

At Castilleja, we believe that every student has the ability to create innovative solutions to today’s problems. By engaging in a variety of hands-on making, tinkering, and engineering projects, students hone core competencies that empower them as innovators. These projects also drive deep learning, foster student initiative, and allow students to make connections between academic disciplines. 

Bourn Idea Lab

The Bourn Idea Lab is Castilleja's makerspace, design studio, and robotics lab outfitted with state-of-the-art tools showcasing the pioneering spirit of our Silicon Valley home base. It’s where students engage in hands-on making, engineering, and computer science projects, developing their technical and creative skills, as well as resilience, confidence, and leadership.

The Bourn Idea Lab is outfitted with the latest digital fabrication equipment, traditional shop tools, and materials ranging from pom-poms to power drills.

Dr. Betty Noel Pierre visits the Bourn Lab

Computer Science And Engineering Classes For All

Every student at Castilleja learns design, building, and computer skills. In the Middle School, every student participates in interdisciplinary projects and exploratories in Computer Science, Making, and Design. They develop skills ranging from designing prototypes and 3D printing to creative coding and working with power tools. Then, in the Upper School, this technical foundation expands into Java programming and engineering classes, as students pursue increasingly sophisticated technical projects. Often,  students collaborate across the two divisions in the Bourn Lab, building STEM knowledge, community and confidence.

Gatorbotics: Our Robotics Teams

Outside the classroom, students deepen their skills through an extracurricular robotics program spanning the Middle School and the Upper School. In Middle School Gatorbotics, students ideate, design, and build robots for our ever-popular Robot Petting Zoo. As students progress, they incorporate more advanced technologies. Meanwhile, Upper School Gatorbotics is a student-led club which competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Mentorship is inherent throughout the Castilleja program. Upper School students receive guidance from industry professionals and, in turn, mentor Middle School students in skills ranging from coding to building mechanisms. This collaboration builds students’ technical expertise and leadership across the entire 6-12 grade experience.

A large group of people wearing matching green shirts, posing together in front of a blue banner that says %22FIRST Robotics Competition%22 and %22FIRST Impact Award%22.

Meet the Team

Bridget Rigby

Titles: Director of the Bourn Idea Lab, Faculty Member, Computer Science & Engineering
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Nico Gallo

Titles: Faculty Member, Bourn Lab and Computer Science & Engineering and Robotics Advisor
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Sarah Barnum

Titles: Faculty Member, Science
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ABC7 Visits MS Robot Petting Zoo!

KPIX Visits - Petting Zoo