For Local Teachers: Bring your class to the Learn By Doing Lab!
Cal Poly's Learn By Doing Lab 2027 registration portal will be open from Friday, September 4th, 2026 until until Friday, October 9th, 2026!
Please read all the information on this page carefully before applying to bring your class(es) to the Learn By Doing Lab. The application link is further down the page after the information.
We're excited that you'd like to bring your students to the Cal Poly Learn By Doing Lab (LBDL)! Please review the information below before completing your application.
What You'll Need to Complete Your Application
- School calendar (to cross-check testing days, field trips, holidays, etc.)
- Bus/transportation plan—check availability and confirm funding in advance. Transportation issues are the number one reason schools cancel.
- Grade-level decision: We recommend sending only one grade (5th–8th) per year since labs may repeat.
- Priority is given to groups in the 5th–8th grade range.
- Colleague coordination—talk with other teachers at your school so only one application is submitted. Duplicate applications will be removed.
- An email address you check regularly—important updates will require a reply within two to three days. Please add learnbydoinglab@calpoly.edu to your safe senders list.
How to Maximize Your Odds of Getting a Slot
- Be flexible with dates - the more availability you select, the higher your chance of being placed.
- Plan for group size - we can accommodate ~110 students per day.
- Larger groups must be split across multiple days.
- If larger groups are split into smaller ones over multiple days, they are easier to accommodate.
- Submit on time: the application closes and review process will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5:00pm.
- Submit only once - multiple applications from the same school reduce your chances.
What Happens After Your Apply
- Slots are assigned by lottery, not first-come, first-served.
- You will be assigned one date or set of dates (depending on your group size and flexibility) - this assignment cannot be changed.
- If you decline or cannot attend on a date you are assigned, your slot(s) will be offered to the next school on our waitlist AND you will be added to the waitlist.
- We expect to announce assignments in mid November.
Final Tip
Think ahead! Coordinate calendars, transportation, and permissions before applying. The more prepared you are, the smoother your experience will be.
Ready to send in your application?
Click here to apply to bring your class to the Learn By Doing Lab in Spring 2027.
How to Contact Us
If you have any questions while filling out the application survey, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help! Email: learnbydoinglab@calpoly.edu
Information for Visiting Schools
Who: Local 5th–8th grade classroom teachers and students interested in experiencing a real-world, standards-based, inquiry-driven science curriculum taught by Cal Poly undergraduates planning careers in teaching.
What: An exciting, hands-on learning laboratory.
When: Learn By Doing Labs take place Thursday and Fridays during the Cal Poly Spring Semester (February through May) at 9:20 - 11:45am.
How: Registration is required to participate. All applicants will be entered into a lottery, and spots will be filled accordingly.
Where: Cal Poly campus.
Why: By having local 5th–8th grade students engage with Cal Poly students in meaningful science activities, we anticipate that the LBDL will:
- Impact the recruitment and education of pre-service teachers.
- Impact the learning and college-going expectations of visiting 5th–8th grade students.
- Enhance the professional development of teachers who visit the LBDL.
Questions?
If you have any questions after reviewing this site about signing up to bring your class to the Learn by Doing Lab, please email learnbydoinglab@calpoly.edu.
Contact Information
Cecilia Dunbar
Learn By Doing Lab Coordinator
learnbydoinglab@calpoly.edu