Toddlers stacked giant foam blocks, browsed free books and danced to live music performed by students from a Stillwater Music band. Outside, visitors lined up to tour the brightly wrapped bus that brought everyone together.
The former school bus has been transformed into a mobile STEAM learning lab that will travel throughout La Plata County, bringing science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics experiences directly to neighborhoods, schools and community events.
Ignite began as an idea shared by teachers, was championed by the Durango Education Foundation board, designed with students, funded by the community and is now being brought to life by educators.The project came together in less than six months, fueled by nearly $400,000 in community support and a partnership between Durango School District (DSD) and the Durango Education Foundation (DEF).
While the district continues to navigate challenging budget realities, Ignite was made possible through grants, charitable contributions, and generous local business support coordinated by Durango Education Foundation. This community-funded approach allowed the district to create an innovative learning resource without relying solely on district operating funds.
Before the ribbon cutting, speakers recognized the educators, donors, businesses, designers, volunteers and community partners who helped turn an ambitious idea into reality.
Durango School District leaders and students, Durango Education Foundation board members, and some of the community donors gather to cut the ribbon on the Ignite Mobile Learning Lab on Aug. 5 at Impact Career Innovation Center. Lead donors include: 100 Women Who Care La Plata, Bank of Colorado, Bronson Family, McDonald's, Carol & Sean Cleary, Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, Dalton Ranch Golf Club, El Pomar Regional Council, Hutton Broadcasting, Joan Roberts-Ems & The Obleton Family, La Plata Electric Association, Lions Club of Durango, Moniker Foundation, Murphy Trust, Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, Summit Church, and Susan Carol Unser.
Students at the center
One of the evening's most memorable moments came when two middle school students who helped design the interior of the bus stepped forward to cut the ribbon.
Jordan Johnson, left, and Camille Tobin, were the ribbon-cutters at the Ignite event.
The students also helped raise money for the project by sharing the vision with community members.
"I remember thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is so cool. I can't wait to start working on this and to get it out there,'" said DSD middle-school student Camille Tobin. "It's going to be great to have lots of kids have opportunities to explore STEM and find a life career."
Jordan Johnson said the project stood out because of the opportunities it could create for students across the community.
"Some kids in our town on the outskirts of Durango may not have resources to have a really good summer or field trips during the school year," Johnson said. "When I heard about the idea for Ignite, I thought: This could change that."
A community effort takes shape
Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser reflected on how quickly the idea became reality.
"I'm eternally grateful," Cheser said. "Three years ago, 10 teachers went to a conference and attended a session about a similar project. They kept texting me, 'We gotta do this!' We gave that idea to the DEF board, and they said, 'Maybe we can make that happen.'"
Today, that idea is a fully equipped mobile learning lab designed to support everything from robotics and coding to engineering challenges, digital media and creative problem-solving.
"What's amazing is the bus incorporates everything we talked about. The fact they took an old bus and made this happen in five or six months is a miracle," said Cheser.
She said the project reflects the kinds of learning experiences students will need as technology continues to reshape the workforce.
"We all know that science, technology, engineering, arts, math, problem solving and being creative are the kinds of skills our students are going to need in the future," said Cheser. "Why shouldn't our kids – especially the kids who live on the outskirts and farther away from resources – have those same opportunities?"
Camille Tobin tries out virtual reality goggles – one of Ignite's activities for all ages.
Learning comes alive
After the ceremony, the celebration quickly shifted from speeches to exploration.
Families filled every activity station as children experimented with drones, 3D design tools and virtual reality goggles while adults toured the bus and talked with the educators who will bring Ignite into neighborhoods throughout the year.
Katelyn Miller, a DSD fourth-grade teacher at Park Elementary School, is managing summer bus activities along with Kylie Sheen, Nathan Van Arsdale, and driver Jim Creek. Miller said the experience has already influenced her classroom planning.
"Even as a teacher, every day I'm learning about the new technology we have on the bus alongside the students," she said. "My wheels are already turning on what kind of projects I can do with my fourth-graders this year based on the math standards I teach. It's really cool to be a part of this school district and a part of this amazing project. Thank you to all of you who made this dream come true."
Jordan Englehart, one of Ignite's educators, said the mobile lab represents a new approach to learning.
"We're learning how to put the wheels on project-based learning throughout the school district," Englehart said. "We may be doing some service-based learning to help our community down the road. This is how learning comes alive."
Dr. Karen Cheser describes some of the retrofitting inside the old bus to make it flexible, durable, and stylish. It was a partnership with local business Wanderful Wheels.
The evening also highlighted partnerships beyond education. Summit Church in Durango donated funding for meal kits that families can take home during Ignite visits, helping connect learning opportunities with family support.
Already on the road
Although the grand opening marked the official launch, Ignite has already been on the road. During its first two weeks, the mobile learning lab has visited DSD schools, Durango parks and several mobile home communities, bringing hands-on learning directly to children where they live and gather.
With two weeks remaining before the start of the school year, families still have opportunities to visit Ignite at community stops throughout the county. During the school year, Ignite will made stops to all DSD schools and be a unique resource open to DSD students and staff. View the current schedule.
Families enjoy activities unpacked from the Ignite bus on July 31 at Fassbinder Park in Durango.