Twice As Smart

Twice As Smart is an after school program for children at-risk, providing them with a learning environment that is both trauma-informed as well as strength-based to launch them on a path to continuing education and purposeful lives.

Once a month a group of fifteen children from Twice As Smart, led by founder Gloria Matlock, visit the Creative Thinking & Learning Studio at Greenfield Community College. I design the studio environment and materials for these visits in ways that support playful, creative, and curiosity driven hands-on experiences. As studio members the children participate in the thinking, making, doing, and playing with possibilities that is the mission of the studio.

“The Studio is one of the most exciting and engaging learning environments I’ve seen since joining the Twice As Smart Board several years ago. Dr. Martalock designed the space in a way that invites kids to explore, experiment, innovate, enjoy, and learn. What a gift it is for the Twice As Smart students to be part of this.”

Michael Kane, Twice As Smart

“I was struck by how at ease the children became in the studio. In their explorations they seemed to feel safe to play, and it struck me that exploring ways to play safely was new to them. The children of Twice As Smart have often commented that one of the things they like about the program is that they feel safe there. They felt safe in the studio, and the opportunities for exploration there evoked a sense of play and wonder.”

Debbie Shriver, Twice As Smart

In the children’s words:

“We expanded it.”

“We upgraded it, like really good.”

“We upgraded the lights.”

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