Sarah Batzel, Ed.M., Founder &
Lead Educator of Catalyst STEM Labs
Sarah Batzel is the creative force behind Catalyst STEM Labs, bringing a unique mix of academic brilliance, cutting-edge curriculum design, artistic integration, and a deep passion for empowering young minds.
With a Masters in Education from Harvard at age nineteen and ongoing professional learning from Columbia University, University of Wisconsin, and national educational organizations, Sarah has devoted two decades to perfecting her craft with a focus on advancing the minds and passions of passionate learners. Her work at institutions like The Avery Coonley School, Northwestern University Center for Talent Development, Apple, and the Dominican University Summer Gifted Program reflects this commitment. Her extensive experience in curriculum design and educational leadership equips her with the skills necessary for effective program development and management, ensuring every initiative is impactful, enriching, and tailored to inspire those interested in advanced studies.
Sarah is all about real-world, hands-on learning that sparks innovative thinking and encourages students to tackle meaningful problems. She set up Catalyst STEM Labs to push the envelope on traditional education and broaden what's possible for children. In a world where technology and knowledge evolve rapidly, Sarah developed Catalyst STEM Labs to bridge the gaps left by other programs stuck on surface-level methods, kit-based projects, and screen-heavy content. She empowers and inspires kids through learning experiences that truly transform how they view themselves and engage with the world.
Sarah's mission is to offer a range of engineering-based programs that weave art and design into the mix with engineering and science. Her approach presents kids with fascinating challenges, set within compelling real-world contexts. Catalyst STEM Labs is all about fostering a high-energy environment full of curiosity and problem-solving, where children develop confidence and perseverance. With expertly crafted curricular programming that appeals to both girls and boys, kids are inspired to look beyond limits and create their future.
The Catalyst Difference
Not kit-based
STEM classes that rely on kits with predetermined builds and step-by-step instructions restrict creativity and remove the rich opportunities for problem solving and critical thinking. In Catalyst classes, students use taught concepts as a launching point to explore their own ideas to engineer their own unique creations, including designing custom components with CAD software and 3D printers, based on each day's design challenge parameters.
Not screen-based
Screen-based classes often lead to passive consumption of information and hinder communication and teamwork skills. Catalyst classes excel by offering hands-on, interactive experiences where students create tangible projects, fostering pride in their work and the capacity to showcase innovations. Learners engage with the true physics and mechanics of their designs, resulting in authentic problem-solving and tinkering. Technology, such as CAD software and 3D printers, supplements the hands-on class experience.
Not surface-level
Catalyst classes go beyond surface-level play found in many STEM programs by offering high-quality instruction that elevates and advances students' knowledge, deepening their understanding of the "why" behind their work. Unlike classes that underestimate children's capacity to grasp complex ideas, Catalyst leverages real-world connections to provide authentic contexts for understanding fundamental physics, chemistry, engineering, and technology concepts. Through an inquiry-based instructional model, students take control of their learning by investigating topics like the effectiveness of parallel circuits compared to series circuits, using sophisticated tools like multimeters.
