Soar Lab | Soar in 4

Hours

Tuesday: 2pm – 6pm
Wednesday: 9am – 3pm
Thursday: 2pm – 6pm
Friday: 9am – 3pm
Saturday: 10am – 2pm

Book your Birthday at the Soar Lab!

Soar Lab Brings Hands-on Learning Close to Home

The Soar in 4 program has opened the all-new Soar Lab. Located at the Sara Scott Harllee Center, the lab gives children and families hands-on opportunities to develop early learning skills and explore a variety of educational experiences. Admission is free for qualifying families.

Children who visit museums and hands-on learning spaces early in life tend to develop stronger skills in reading, math, and science. At the Soar Lab, kids can build prekindergarten and kindergarten readiness skills through interactive learning spaces featuring art, tinkering, engineering, and outdoor discovery areas. Resources for families and caregivers are also available to help support their involvement in early childhood education.

SOAR In 4 PArtners

We appreciate our awe inspiring partners. By joining the Soar in 4 movement and serving families with young children, these partners help bring brain building play opportunities to children across Manatee County. While each organization remains committed to its own unique mission, they have embraced a shared focus on literacy and play to help young children build the skills they need for school success and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

Art Center Manatee

Bhavava Yoga Studio

Books for Kids Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club

Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County

EAA 180 and the Teen Aircraft Factory of Manasota – The Spirit of Aviation

Family Nutrition Program

First 1000 Days

Florida Maritime Museum

Florida Master Gardener

Forty Carrots Family Center

Hope 4 Communities

Manatee County Agricultural Museum

Manatee County Libraries

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Manatee Education Foundation

Manatee Literacy Council

Manatee Village Historical Park

MCR Health

Mote Marine Laboratory

MTC

Parenting Matters

Realize Bradenton

Safe Kids Florida Suncoast, John Hopkins

Sarasota Children’s Museum

State College of Florida

Suncoast Remake Learning Days/ Patterson Foundation

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

The Food Bank of Manatee

The Ringling

UF IFAS Extension

University of South Florida

Van Wezel

WEDU

Whole Child Manatee

PARTNERS IN PLAY

The Soar Lab relies upon the community, foundations, philanthropic, and individual support to provide children and families with purposeful and inclusive Soar Lab experiences that inspire learning, creativity, and curiosity for all learners.

Community sponsorships and individual donations are 100% deductible.

Thanks to the support of Manatee County voters through the School District of Manatee County’s 1-Mill Property Tax Referendum, Soar in 4 can continue providing families with young children intentional literacy and play based learning experiences that help young children build the skills they need for success in school and beyond.

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Supporters

Friends of the Lab – $500 – $49,000

Bradenton Kiwanis

Credit Union 1

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee

ThEd Parmenter in memory of Pam Parmenter

Florida Blue Foundation

Grayhawk Windows, Roofing and Remodeling

United Way Suncoast

Founding Sponsors – $50,000 – $100,000

Bob Boast Volkswagen

Google

IAMYes! Project

Manatee Community Foundation

Robert and Diane Roskamp

Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation

Community Hero Sponsors – Over $100,000

Steve and Carolyn Roskamp

The School District of Manatee Counter

Bishop Parker Foundation

Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation

The School District of Manatee County

We are especially grateful to Steve and Carolyn Roskamp, the champions and visionaries of the Soar in 4 movement, whose belief in our mission and extraordinary support have transformed opportunities for children and families throughout our community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Free entry is available to:

SDMC Student PreK-3rd Grade with ID: Free with 1 caring adult (Must be registered and attend a SDMC Public School)
SDMC Staff: Free with 1 Child aged birth-3rd Grade
Children Ages 0-4: Free with 1 caring adult
Families that qualify for WIC/EBT/SNAP/Medicaid: Free for 1 child aged birth-3rd Grade and 1 caring adult

Donation-Based Entry:

$10 Donation: Child aged 4 years old-3rd grade with 1 caring adult
$50 Donation Annual Pass: 1 Child and 1 caring adult (subject to blackout dates)
$100 Donation Annual Pass: for up to 5 people per visit (max 2 adults) (subject to blackout dates)
$5.00 donation for any additional caring adult
$5.00 donation for any additional child

All donations support the Soar Lab and are made through DonorPerfect. Cash is not accepted. All donations must be made using a credit or debit card.

The Soar Lab is one of the many ways the Soar in 4 program provides support and opportunities to help children succeed in school and in life. The program offers numerous research-based activities that build school readiness and strengthen parent-child connections.