STEAM
Innovation in Every Project
At Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, we reimagined the traditional STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experience with our IDEA Lab—where Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Application come together to inspire real-world solutions. Our program is a unique blend of technology and technical handiwork. Students combine coding, metalworking, woodworking, 3D-printing, and more to bring their own self-led projects to life.
The IDEA Lab
The IDEA Lab, housed in our Dess Oliver STEAM Building, provides a hands-on, interdisciplinary environment designed to cultivate creativity, practical engineering skills, and computational thinking, preparing students for success in both college and future careers in technology, engineering, and design.
- Cubelets and Arduino Boards for robotics and coding
- Prusa 3D Printers and Raspberry Pi Computers for digital design and prototyping
- Laser Cutter and Woodworking Tools for traditional and modern crafting
- Fully Equipped Metalworking Shop for advanced fabrication
In the IDEA Lab, students take their own ideas, passions, and projects
- then use our resources to make it come to life!
Tech Meets Technical
Our STEAM program uniquely blends cutting-edge technology with hands-on technical skills like woodworking, gardening, and design to spark innovation and real-world problem-solving.
James built and coded a minicomputer to track real-time conditions at the Middle School greenhouse.
What We Offer
![Middle School STEAM]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750688721/rabungaporg/xuqz4fvzfebnbdoutbgz/MiddleSchoolSTEAM-3247.jpg","width":2200}])
Middle School STEAM
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about Middle School STEAM
![STEAM @ Lower School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750688637/rabungaporg/hoddkflkdh7blekj4i9m/KinderinSTEAM-2793.jpg","width":2200}])
STEAM @ Lower School
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about STEAM @ Lower School
![STEAM After School Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750688886/rabungaporg/k88bxnn0tmski1pmjg07/F45A8852.jpg","width":2200}])
STEAM After School Program
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about STEAM After School Program
![Upper School Advanced Engineering]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750688830/rabungaporg/io5argmxaoddfrs96hlp/F45A8761.jpg","width":2200}])
Upper School Advanced Engineering
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about Upper School Advanced Engineering
Continuing a Legacy of Hands-On Education
The STEAM Center on campus is named after legendary Rabun Gap educator Dess Oliver. Dess spent 47 years teaching industrial arts at Rabun Gap, and inspired generations of students. Our IDEA Lab Instructor Brian Phillips '98 was one of Mr. Oliver's students, and brings the same spirit to the IDEA Lab, ensuring a legacy of dedication to hands-on learning lives on.