About SLAB

Student-Led Architecture & Building

SLAB is a student-powered outreach program bringing design, building, and leadership opportunities to K–12 classrooms through fun, hands-on projects led by University of Washington Construction Management and Architecture students. We believe early exposure to the built environment can inspire the next generation of creators, builders, and leaders.

SLAB Elementary (Grades K–6)

From Imagination to Creation

Our elementary program meets students where they are. For younger grades, we focus on sparking imagination through creative activities. For older students, we introduce guided design-build projects where they create a real structure for their school. The program is flexible and adapts to your classroom's needs.

What It Looks Like:

  • For Younger Grades (K-3): We lead short, "drop-in" sessions focused on creative exploration. Students might draw their dream playground, build with LEGOs and recycled materials, or decorate a pre-built item for their classroom.
  • For Older Grades (4-6): Over a few sessions, students get to design and build a simple structure for their school, like a buddy bench, garden planter, or bookshelf. Mentors guide them from idea to finished project.

Goals for Elementary Students:

  • Inspire creativity and introduce design thinking in a playful way
  • Experience the power of teamwork and collaboration
  • Learn how ideas turn into tangible objects
  • Leave a lasting, positive contribution to their school community

Safety is Our Priority: All activities are led by trained UW mentors and supervised by teachers. K-3 projects are completely tool-free. For grades 4-6, any tool use is heavily supervised, with all complex prep work done by our team beforehand.

SLAB Seeds (Grades K–3)

Imagination-First. Exposure-Focused.

At this age, it's all about sparking curiosity. SLAB Seeds brings UW mentors into the classroom to help students explore the world of building through fun, creative, and artistic activities.

What It Looks Like:

  • Drawing "dream spaces" like playgrounds or treehouses
  • Building with LEGOs, blocks, or recycled materials
  • Class-wide teamwork activities like tallest tower or bridge-building contests
  • Decorating or naming a pre-built SLAB structure delivered to their school

Goals:

  • Inspire early creativity
  • Introduce design thinking in playful ways
  • Build positive memories of teamwork and making

Safety & Oversight: All activities are led by trained UW student mentors, always supervised by teachers, with zero tools or sharp materials involved.

SLAB Foundations (Grades 4–6)

Guided Design. Real Impact.

This is where students take their first step into building real structures. Over four weeks, each class works with UW mentors to imagine, design, and build a small, safe structure—like a bench, bookshelf, or planter—right at their school.

Week-by-week structure:

Sessions typically take place on Fridays, turning the end of the school week into a hands-on learning experience.

  1. Design Brainstorming: Students vote on a simple structure they want to build.
  2. Planning & Sketching: Mentors guide the class through drawing and prep.
  3. Pre-Build Setup: Final prep, safety orientation, and material review.
  4. Build Day! Students rotate through building stations, guided by UW mentors.

What they build:

  • Buddy benches
  • Outdoor reading nooks
  • Garden planters
  • Birdhouses or shade stands

Goals:

  • Experience the power of teamwork
  • Learn how design turns into action
  • Leave something behind for their school community

Safety: Tools and stations are heavily supervised. All cuts/prep are done ahead of time. Students handle sanding, painting, and assembling with pre-drilled pieces.

SLAB Studio (Grades 7–12)

Real Projects. Real Skills.

In middle and high school, students work in collaborative teams mentored by UW students to design and build structures that solve real problems. These projects simulate a real design-build studio, giving students exposure to creative problem-solving and hands-on construction.

Format Flexibility

SLAB Studio is ideal for after-school clubs, career and technical education (CTE) classes, or project-based learning blocks. The extended format allows for deeper dives into design, planning, and more ambitious builds that require collaboration over several weeks.

Program Features:

  • Teams tackle more involved builds (e.g., outdoor study benches, custom furniture for a school library, or a custom photo booth).
  • Mentors introduce basic measurement, site planning, and construction roles.
  • Projects connect to real-world needs, like improving a school courtyard.
  • Includes design sketching and intro to browser-based modeling tools.
  • High schoolers can explore portfolio building and career pathways.

Pre-professional Exposure: Students build portfolios, gain early mentorship, and connect with UW CM, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture pathways.

How It Works (For Schools)

Trained Mentors

All mentors are UW Built Environment students trained in leadership and safety.

Simple Schedule

We adapt to you. Programs range from single creative sessions to structured, multi-week builds.

Zero Cost

No cost to the school—SLAB handles tools, materials, and all preparation.

Adaptive Goals

We work with you to adapt projects and goals to your curriculum needs.