The Imagination Lab

⏰ LAST CHANCE! ⏰

Tomorrow, May 30th, is the absolute final day to grab your official The Imagination Lab T-shirt! Don't miss out on a chance to show your support for Friends of the Lab.

Whether it's for you or the kids, we’ve got options for everyone with your choice of colors!

👕 Pricing:
Adult T-shirts: $15
Child T-shirts: $10

How to Order:

Scan the QR code on the flyer (or visit https://stores.inksoft.com/imagination_lab/shop/home) to select your sizes and favorite colors before the window closes at the end of the day tomorrow!

Thank you for supporting Friends of the Lab and helping us keep the creativity growing! 🌿✨

The buzzing of bees and the flutter of butterfly wings are about to get a lot louder at The Imagination Lab.

This past Saturday, a dedicated crew from the Hendricks County Master Gardeners gathered to install 300 native plant plugs along the facility’s exterior. This massive planting effort marks the latest phase in an ongoing mission to transform the surrounding landscape into a thriving sanctuary for local wildlife, with a specific focus on the iconic Monarch butterfly.

While the Master Gardeners provided the expert muscle on Saturday, the heart of the project started months ago with the Cultivating Crew. This group of industrious 4th-grade students spends one recess a week dedicated to all things gardening.

The students grew approximately 35 plants from seed and carefully overwintered them to ensure they were hardy enough for the spring soil. Most notably, this student-led effort provided the milkweed for the site—the essential host plant that Monarch butterflies require to lay their eggs and feed their larvae.

The 300 plugs funded by a generous donation from the Duke Energy Foundation were selected to provide a continuous bloom cycle from spring through autumn. The planting included 50 units of each of the following native species - lavender hyssop, meadow blazing star, wild bergamont, black-eyed susan, smooth blue aster, blue vervain.

The work on Saturday wasn't just about new growth; it was also about maintaining the progress already made. The Master Gardeners spent time weeding the beds established last year, which are already flourishing with purple coneflowers and milkweed.

The project also highlights a beautiful cycle of student collaboration:

The Harvest: Last September, 2nd-grade students carefully harvested seeds from the lab's zinnia plants.

The Planting: Two weeks ago, Master Gardeners returned to work with 1st-grade students to plant those very same seeds, ensuring a bright burst of color for the coming season.

The Duke Energy Foundation continues its strong track record of supporting environmental education. Their contribution bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, allowing students to see the tangible results of their labor.

"Support from the Duke Energy Foundation and the expertise of the Master Gardeners allows us to turn a simple patch of grass into a living laboratory," said organizers at The Imagination Lab. "It’s about more than just aesthetics; it’s about showing students the direct impact they can have on the natural world."

As these 350 total plants take root, they serve as a growing testament to what can be achieved when local experts, corporate partners, and student "Cultivating Crews" work together to green the future of Hendricks County.

Last week, The Imagination Lab buzzed with a different kind of energy—one involving six legs, iridescent wings, and the return of a hometown expert. Dr. Sarah Donelson, a Plainfield graduate and former Professor of Entomology at Oklahoma State University, stepped into the role of Scientist-in-Residence to lead 2nd and 4th-graders through an immersive exploration of the insect world.

Currently serving as an Instructional Assistant at Central Elementary, Dr. Donelson (affectionately known as "Dr. D") bridged the gap between high-level academia and elementary wonder, bringing handmade exhibits to life for local students.

The Scientist as an Artist
What made this residency truly unique was Dr. Donelson’s background as a certified scientific illustrator. Students didn't just look at mass-produced posters; they were surrounded by museum-quality exhibits featuring ants, dragonflies, and dung beetles designed specifically for The Imagination Lab.

The displays featured:
Original Artwork: Students marveled at Dr. D’s intricate drawings and paintings, which captured the minute textures of the insect world with surgical precision.
Handmade Models: The exhibits included detailed models of insects that Dr. Donelson crafted herself to serve as tactile teaching tools.

By seeing her work, students learned that science and art aren't separate subjects—they are two ways of observing and describing the same world.

Focused Observation: The Nature Journal

To ground their scientific inquiry, Dr. Donelson introduced students to nature journaling. Through an instructional video, she explained the "why" and "how" of documenting the natural world. To get them started, each student received a kit designed to eliminate "blank page syndrome":

A dedicated journal and pencil.
A loop of string: A simple yet brilliant tool used to "frame" a small patch of ground. By narrowing their field of vision, students learned to focus on the tiny, moving dramas of the ecosystem that usually go unnoticed.

2nd Grade: Inventing an insect
For the 2nd-grade classes, the focus was on anatomy and adaptation. Before they could dive into the "weird and wild" of entomology, they had to master the basics: What actually makes an insect an insect?

After learning about the three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) and the necessity of six legs, students were challenged to become "insect architects." They invented their own unique insect, before bringing their creations to life with a 3D model and an imaginative name.

4th Grade: Inside-Out Engineering
The 4th-grade curriculum took a deep dive into both biology and physics. In a fascinating look at internal systems, students observed a dissected insect, allowing them to compare and contrast its body parts with human anatomy.

This hands-on comparison helped students understand how different life forms solve the same problems—like breathing, circulating nutrients, and moving—using vastly different "equipment."

Following the anatomy lesson, the focus shifted to bioluminescent engineering:
The Challenge: Students leveraged their understanding of physical science to create a working circuit.

The Goal: Using an LED to mimic the firefly’s signature glow, students modeled their own fireflies around the light source, successfully blending biology with electrical engineering.

Local Roots, Global Expertise

The residency highlights a unique advantage for Plainfield students. Having a scientist with Dr. Donelson’s pedigree—transitioning from a university professorship to a hands-on role within the district—provides students with a rare "real-world" connection to their studies.

We have 300 native plant plugs arriving this week, and we need your help to get them in the ground! We’re transforming the east side of the building and creating a haven for our local pollinators.

When: This Saturday, May 9

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Two hours of power!)

The Gear: We have the augers, but we need YOU to bring the power! Please bring a cordless drill if you have one—it makes planting 300 plugs a breeze.

Whether you're a gardening pro or just want to help the planet, we’d love to see you there.

📍 Where: The Imagination Lab (401 Elm Dr. Door 7)

Summer Camp News
🚧 Important Update Regarding Summer 2026 at The Imagination Lab

To our Lab families: Due to extensive road construction taking place just north of our building, The Imagination Lab will not be hosting general summer programming this year.

While we will miss seeing everyone’s creativity in action this summer, we are already looking forward to returning with a full schedule of camps in 2027!

However, we do have one special exception! 💡 Current 5th-grade students will have an exclusive opportunity to register for our "From Imagination to IDEAs" camps held at Plainfield Community Middle School.

📅 When: July
⏱️ Duration: 2 half-day sessions
ℹ️ Status: More registration information is coming very soon.

Looking for other ways to stay active this summer? Don’t worry—other camp options within Plainfield will still be open! We will be sharing those details and promotions with you soon so you can plan your summer break.

Thank you for your understanding. 🛠️

We've already had 2 of the 5 STEM Sprouts: A Family Odyssey Night at The Imagination Lab. Three more to go! (Spoiler alert: Any family from any school can attend any of the events!)

Feb 5 - Clarks Creek
Feb 19 - Central
Feb 26 - Van Buren

Tickets: Presale Individual $5 | Family $20 (At the door $7 and $25)

Can't attend? Support with Silent Auction and Tshirt purchase!
For more information, visit https://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/o/the-imagination-lab/page/friends-of-the-lab

Honored for the spotlight from Conexus Indiana to highlight the work The Imagination Lab is doing to spark innovation and develop future-ready skills for Plainfield Elementary students. 💡

Plainfield Imagination Lab - Conexus Indiana | Conexus Indiana “The careers we’re trying to get these kids ready for, they might not even exist yet. So, we’re trying to get the students to see that there is joy in learning new things and that there is confidence that can come just from that opportunity.“ – Tracy G. Ballinger, Director, Imagination Lab...

Thankful hearts this Thanksgiving week! 🧡 We want to give a HUGE shout-out to the amazing volunteers who helped lay the groundwork for our new native pollinator garden at The Imagination Lab.

🦋 Your dedication will help local butterflies thrive starting in the summer of 2026!

🙌 Special thank you to the Hendricks County (IN) Master Gardeners and Cub Scout Pack 429 - Community Page (AOLs, Webelos, Bears)!

STEM Sprouts: A Family Odyssey Night at The Imagination Lab for GUILFORD ELEMENTARY 📆 Thursday, November 6, 5:30 - 7:30pm!
🎫Pre-sale tickets close at 6 pm tonight. The silent auction (Unique offers from The Imagination Lab, Extra Recess, Private Lunch, Door Dash from Mrs. Perry, and more ) will close at 9 pm tomorrow.
https://go.rallyup.com/guilfordstemsprouts

The Friends of The Lab invite friends and families to STEM Sprouts: A Family Odyssey Night at The Imagination Lab.
2025 - Guilford Nov 6 | Brentwood Nov 20
2026 - Clarks Creek Feb 5 | Central Feb 19 | Van Buren Feb 26
Tickets: Presale Individual $5 | Family $20 (At the door $7 and $25)
Can't attend? Support with Silent Auction and Tshirt purchase!

For more information, visit https://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/o/the-imagination-lab/page/friends-of-the-lab