268. Jazz Lab & STEM with Stephanie Matthews

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of jazz in education with Stephanie Matthews, Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz. Stephanie has pioneered Jazz Lab, an innovative pilot program that integrates jazz with STEM education to foster creativity, collaboration, and emotional wellness in students. Backed by the Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant, Jazz Lab provides an interactive, interdisciplinary learning experience where kids build 3D-printed instruments, explore the physics of sound, and even engage in virtual reality music-making.

Stephanie shares how jazz, with its improvisational nature, can be a powerful tool for problem-solving, innovation, and community building. By merging music with science and technology, Jazz Lab helps students develop essential 21st-century skills, from resilience to collaboration. More than just a music program, Jazz Lab is about expanding possibilities—whether through hands-on exploration of sound, engaging with professional musicians, or discovering new career paths in STEM and the arts.

Join us as we discuss the impact of Jazz Lab and the vision for its future, including expanding beyond Ohio and developing a model that could be replicated nationwide. Stephanie’s work is a testament to the incredible ways we can rethink education and create engaging, meaningful learning experiences for all students.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How Jazz Lab bridges the gap between music and STEM education
• The power of improvisation in fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving
• Why jazz is more than music—it’s a tool for emotional wellness and social connection
• How hands-on experiences like 3D-printed instruments and VR music-making engage students in learning
• The long-term vision for Jazz Lab and its potential to reshape traditional education models

Resources:

• A Tribe for Jazz: atribeforjazz.org
• Follow A Tribe for Jazz on Instagram: @atribeforjazz_
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): cosi.org

Produced by NOVA