Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Lesser.
Hi Cara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I identify as a social impact entrepreneur, and began my professional journey working in health care and health policy. I shifted into the world of education over a decade ago to focus on supporting the next generation to develop the creativity, agency and empathy to drive meaningful change in the world. At the time, I didn’t know how much tech was going to change all aspects of life and work — but I knew kids needed to be more fluent in tech and the human-centered skills for the future.
Flash forward to today, KID is a national leader in hands-on, future-ready learning. We advance an approach to teaching and learning that is grounded in the way kids learn best: by doing. Our work blends experiential STEM, invention, design, and real-world problem solving to equip young people with both the technical skills and human skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. With a focus on engaging populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, our programs expand access, build economic opportunity, and help diversify the future talent pipeline.
At the heart of KID is our headquarters and place-based learning sites in Montgomery County, Maryland, which serve as our innovation hub, reaching tens of thousands of youth each year. What starts there is scaled into schools, districts, and communities through curriculum, educator training, and partnership-based programs nationally and globally. This approach allows us to reach kids nationally and globally without losing the quality, values, or rigor that define our work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is never a smooth road! For a long time, KID was just an idea and we explored different paths to bring the concept to life. One of the biggest struggles was finding a physical space to deliver our programs. We had an early breakthrough with the opportunity to occupy a space on the first floor of a public library. This was a wonderful space for us to iterate on our programs and operational model and learn how we can make the greatest impact. But we quickly outgrew the 7,000 square foot space as demand for our programs grew. It took us years to identify another space where we could really flourish and scale our programs. Now we operate a 30,000 square foot space just above Bethesda metro, which is a fantastic space to deliver family and school programs and to continue to hone our innovative approach to teaching and learning. Now our struggle is getting more people to understand that we are not just about delivering programs in a physical space. Our physical location allows us to test and refine what works — and we need it — but we also can share what we learn well beyond the confines of this physical space through teacher training, curricular resources, a distance learning studio, and robust communities of practice that continue to refine what works in different settings and for different populations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
KID is a national leader in future-ready, hands-on learning. We design, deliver, and disseminate learning experiences that combine tech and human skills to prepare K-12 students for a fast-changing world. Our programs integrate STEM, invention, and creative problem-solving in a way that not only builds skills, but transforms how youth approach the world. All of our programs are designed and led by professional educators who combine social-emotional learning with tech and engineering design, supporting youth to build confidence and identity as innovators and change-makers.
We serve kids in school, during out-of-school-time, with their friends and with their families, We engage employers and community members to serve as mentors and provide a full continuum of programs for grades K-12 that support growth and development over time. Our students go on to pursue college degrees and careers in mechanical engineering, computer science, emerging tech, architecture and design, and more.
One of the offerings I am most proud of is our middle school Invent the Future Challenge. Each year, thousands of students participate to design and build a prototype of an invention to make the world a better place. In the spring, students share their inventions in a large scale community showcase — the Invent the Future Expo — where they present alongside companies that are highlighting their latest innovations. It is a vibrant community event which is all about supporting kids and the future.
For many students, the program is included as part of the school day, where the challenge is embedded in their school curriculum and viewed as a core part of their learning. Teachers receive training and professional development that changes how they approach their classrooms, and this has amplifying impact year over year as well.
The KID brand has become well known in our region and we’re proud of the impact of our programs for students and teachers across the greater DMV.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have found that people generally like to be asked to mentor, but it helps to be specific about what you are seeking from that person. For example, students might aspire to work in tech and seek out approachable individuals in that field with some questions about their personal journey and who/ what helped them to get to where they are today. In the course of natural conversation, I think it is easier to then ask if someone will serve as a mentor as you face specific choices that you encounter in the near term.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kid-museum.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidmuseum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KIDMuseum/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/kid-museum/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/KIDMuseum
