This spring, innovation took center stage at MKA’s Primary School through two hallmark programs: MyMachine and Capstone. Grounded in hands-on design thinking, thoughtful reflection, and collaboration, these projects gave first and third-grade students the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges with creativity and purpose.

MyMachine
First-grade students brought their imagination to life through the annual MyMachine Reveal, a global design-thinking initiative that empowers students to dream, design, and develop solutions to real-world problems. After studying simple machines with guidance from their advisors and science specialist Mrs. Glynn, and exploring hands-on tools from a mobile tinker cart introduced by Director of STEM+ Programming (Pre-K–8) Chris McLaughlin, students identified everyday challenges they hoped to solve. Each first grader documented their ideas and then as a class students selected one collective invention to move forward.

Each first grader photographed their sketches and recorded a screencast to share their thought process and explain the details of their sketches. These screencasts were shared with students from the University of Indiana who worked to create scale models of each class’s selected invention, applying their knowledge of design, engineering, and user experience. From there, technical high school students brought the concepts to life by building full working prototypes—an experience that culminated in a hands-on exhibit at the annual MyMachine Reveal on Thursday, April 24. Through this multi-step collaboration, first graders not only saw their ideas take shape but also learned that innovation is a collective process—one that requires teamwork, creativity, empathy, and resilience.

View more photos from this event on www.mka.org/photogalleries.

Capstone
MKA’s third graders once again showcased their imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through the annual Capstone project. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, Capstone encourages students to reflect on their earliest Brookside memories and then embark on a design challenge to enhance a specific space on the campus. After identifying a meaningful memory, they captured its setting with help from the Upper School Photography Club. Guided by the principles of design thinking, students interviewed a group of administrators to pose questions about space, usage, and budget restrictions; they also interviewed Upper School seniors who previously attended the Primary School, other Primary School students, and teachers to better understand how to make their spaces more engaging, inclusive, and functional.

The culmination of this interdisciplinary experience took place on Friday, May 23, when students hosted a design fair for families and members of the MKA community. The fair featured several prototypes of reimagined spaces—including a rooftop garden, redesigned gym, library, and STEM lab—crafted from recycled materials and presented alongside blueprints and design boards. Projects like Capstone illustrate MKA’s commitment to developing STEM+ mindsets by building essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and logic. Students are able to embrace their roles as innovators and changemakers, embodying MKA’s mission to nurture curious, ethical, and purposeful learners.

View more photos from this event on www.mka.org/photogalleries.