Marketing, sculpture, discovery and more

It’s been a busy 2026 for the Hamline to Hamline Collaboration. Let’s get caught up!
In February, all three kindergarten classes visited the gymnastics gym on campus. Students were able to watch Hamline University gymnasts perform routines and even got a chance to try out their own skills – with lots of help – on some of the equipment. This pairing is an all-time favorite – many thanks to the gymnastics team for making it possible.

At the end of February we hosted our 5th Discovery Expo, a hands-on activity fair that brings Hamline Elementary students together with Hamline University students, staff, and faculty to explore exciting college and career possibilities. It may have been our best one yet with opportunities to create and run football plays, make a homemade stress ball, build wooden towers, dunk mini basketballs, draw, write, learn sign language, and see and touch a sheep’s brain. Big thanks to the following Hamline University departments and organizations for making this an unforgettable experience: American Sign Language Club, Career Development Center, Classroom Chronicles, Education, English and Communication Studies, Hamline Athletics, Hamline Football, Neuroscience Program/Biology, and the Sketch n’ Paint Club. It was an incredible day of learning and connection between our two campuses and we are so proud of our Hamline Huskies for their enthusiasm and excellent questions and participation!
In March we paired Hamline Elementary third graders with a Hamline University marketing class to learn about brands and create a new product. Students built small models of their new snack or cereal product, created a poster, and did a short presentation to share their work. Each group created something new and exciting and one of the more memorable new products was a glow-in-the-dark Oreo!

Also in March, the fourth grade class participated in part one of an on-campus pairing with Hamline University sculpture students at Hamline University. Fourth graders learned about a method called “reductive carving” using resin-bonded sand to make a mold that we will fill with molten metal during part two of the pairing after spring break. At our first visit, the students carved out a design of their choice, painted on a mold wash, and then lit it on fire (with help from Hamline University students and staff). After spring break, students went back to finish the sculptures and students get to bring them home.

As spring fully emerges, we’re looking forward to a couple more campus visits and activities, including our amazing annual Field Day event at Klas Field, organized by Hamline Athletics. For more information about the Hamline to Hamline Collaboration, please contact Jessica Kopp at jkopp06@hamline.edu

Submitted by Jessica Kopp, Hamline Elementary Lab School Project Manager, School of Education and Leadership.