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It’s Time to Learn & Explore at The Soar Lab – A Museum-like Experience for Children Featuring Sheila Halpin and Angela Knapek
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

It’s Time to Learn & Explore at The Soar Lab – A Museum-like Experience for Children Featuring Sheila Halpin and Angela Knapek

Posted on November 21, 2025

In this episode of Connecting Communities, Leah Verier-Dunn talks with Sheila Halpin and Angela Knapek from Soar in 4 about the opening of their new children’s museum-like learning lab. Soar Lab is a new Manatee County neighborhood gem that families must check out! With a focus on the importance of family engagement, the three discuss all that one can expect when they show up at the Soar Lab.

Timestamps

  • 00:30 - Intro
  • 01:24 - Sheila talks about the history of Soar in 4 and how she got here
  • 03:40 - Angela discusses how she became involved in Soar in 4
  • 05:51 - Sheila shares the mission of Soar in 4
  • 09:15 - Angela talks about why this work is so important for the community
  • 10:05 - Sheila gives information about their Pop-up events at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
  • 12:22 - Sheila opens up about what sparked the idea for the Soar Lab
  • 16:09 - Sheila talks about the journey of the Soar Lab
  • 21:01 - Angela reveals some of the interactive exhibits at the Soar Lab
  • 24:19 Hours and ways to come to the Soar Lab with your family
  • 26:35 - Big Picture Small Steps
  • 27:03 - Angela and Sheila share their long-term goals for the Soar Lab
  • 29:24 - Angela and Sheila discuss the importance of hands-on learning

Links to Learn More

  • Soar in 4 Website
  • Soar in 4 events at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
  • Soar in 4 - Soar Lab
  • Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Website
  • The Patterson Foundation Website
  • More Connecting Communities Podcasts
  • Blog: It’s Time to Learn & Explore at The Soar Lab – A Museum-like Experience for Children
Connect Beyond The Blog
  • Soar in 4 Instagram
  • Manatee County Schools Instagram
  • Soar in 4 Facebook
  • Manatee County Schools Facebook

Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog!



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  • About Us
    • About the Foundation
    • Our Approach
    • The Journey: Why & How
    • Shared Aspirations: Who & What
    • Endowments
    • Governing Board
    • Staff
    • Consultants
    • Volunteer
    • Conferences & Events Library
    • FAQs
    • Connect with Us
    • Milestones and History
  • Stories
    • Blog
    • Beyond The Blog Podcasts
  • Current Initiatives
    • Current Initiatives (overview)

      •  
        Agriculture:
        Past, Present, and Possibilities
      • A Walk to Respect
      • Advancing Philanthropic Leadership
      • Aspirations to Actions
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions:
        North River Manatee County Initiative
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions:
        The New Civic Path Book Circles
      • Center for Disaster Philanthropy
      •  
        Community Impact:
        Optimizing Assets Beyond Initiatives
      •  
        Community Preparedness, Recovery,
        and Resiliency
      •  
        DeSoto County Ahead
      • Digital Access for All
      • Digital Navigator Program
      • Fueling Dynamic Fundraising
      • Giving Challenge
      • Margin & Mission Ignition
      •  
        National Campaign for
        Grade-Level Reading
      • Nonprofit Thrivability
      • Nonprofit Internship Program
      • Patriot Plaza
      • Season of Sharing
      •  
        Suncoast Campaign for
        Grade-Level Reading
      • Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund
      • The Gap
      • The Patterson Foundation Fellowship
      • TPF Beyond Network
      • Voter Education
  • Past Initiatives
    • Past Initiatives (overview)

      • Advancing Mission Thrivability
      • Age-Friendly Sarasota
      • Aging with Dignity and Independence
      • Aging Mastery Program
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions
        Stepping Forward Book Circles
      • Aspirations Journalism
      • Arthritis Foundation – Florida Chapter
      • Bringing Science Home
      • Caregiver Connect
      • Census 2020 Education
      • Clawback Recovery Challenge
      • Collaborative Partnering
      •  
        Collaboratory
        at Ringling College of Art and Design
      • COVID-19 Response
      • EdExploreSRQ
      •  
        Higher Waters:
        Suncoast Quality of Life
      • Honoring & Onward
      • HundredX Pilot Project
      •  
        Indiana University Lilly Family
        School of Philanthropy Electives
      • Legacy of Valor
      • National Council on Aging
      • NetHope
      • New Media Journalism
      • Recoding Organizational DNA
      •  
        Sarasota County Health Safety Net
        System of Care Collaboration
      • Self-Management Alliance
      • SPIRE CoLab
      • Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition
      • The Bay
      • The Giving Partner
      • UPLIFT Florida Network
      • Veterans Legacy Summit