Engineering challenges. House building. Back-to-school surprises. On July 31, students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, spent the day creating, collaborating and problem solving at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, just a few miles from Cotino, Storyliving by Disney’s first community in Rancho Mirage, California. The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) experience, made possible by Storyliving by Disney, marked the third year of support for the museum and the local Boys & Girls Clubs programming.
The event is part of Disney’s longstanding commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of The Walt Disney Company’s most enduring nonprofit partners. For more than 50 years, Disney and Boys & Girls Clubs have worked together to help young people discover their potential, explore new opportunities, and build skills for the future.
The Experiment!
That mission came to life in the Coachella Valley as kids from the Rancho Mirage area stepped into the role of engineers, inventors and problem-solvers during a hands-on Rube Goldberg challenge inside the museum’s Inquiry Lab. The space is equipped with a variety of STEAM activity materials funded by Storyliving by Disney such as 3D printers, a laser cutter and more.
Working in teams, students tested ideas, refined designs, and celebrated every breakthrough. Their challenge: design a future home inspired by the Parr House that was both energy-efficient and accessible, then create a Rube Goldberg machine capable of opening its front door.
“We started chatting a lot and played games. It was a lot of fun to build a pool, a little house, and make our door open,” said a fifth-grader team captain.
The event also showcased the power of community collaboration. Through its partnership with the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, Storyliving by Disney is helping create more opportunities for young people to engage with STEAM learning year-round.
“One of the best parts of this day was knowing the learning doesn’t stop when the event ends,” said Cindy Burreson, President and CEO of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. “Through partnerships like this, we’re not only introducing kids to new experiences, but giving them a reason to come back and keep exploring.”
For Dr. Quinton Egson, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, the event represented something even bigger.
“Partnerships enable us to move the needle in the community and help us help our kids reach their full potential. At the Boys and Girls Clubs we talk a lot about the three E’s; Education, experience and exposure and we’re hitting all three today on a big level. These partnerships are changing the community,” said Dr. Egington.
The Surprise!
The learning didn’t end when the activities were over. To help continue the spirit of discovery beyond the field trip, students were surprised with complimentary annual passes provided by Storyliving by Disney, giving them the opportunity to return and explore the museum alongside family and friends — extending their learning all year long.
Storyliving by Disney also provided the children with backpacks filled with school supplies donated through Disney’s back-to-school initiative. 40 backpacks were assembled by Cotino cast members from across the community, who came together to help local students start the school year prepared for success.
“It was the generosity and the enthusiasm of the cast members that drove the opportunity to pack the backpacks. It was incredibly rewarding for the cast members and VoluntEARS to support the local community,” said Cotino General Manager and Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert Board Member, Anthony Henry.
Complete with school essentials and a few Disney-themed surprises, the gifts reflected Disney’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth and giving back to the communities it calls home.
“The backpack and school supplies were a big surprise for me. There were a little Minnie and Mickey Mouse figures in there. I really love Disney!” said one enthusiastic eighth grade student. “I was really excited about the membership, because I was going to ask my mom to come again. It’s fun and cool here!” added another fifth-grade student.
For Storyliving by Disney, engaging with youth through organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs isn’t just about a single day or a single event; it’s about inspiring future generations.
While the Rube Goldberg machines may have stopped rolling at the end of the day, the creativity, confidence, and inspiration sparked by the experience will continue long after students leave the museum.