At The Sandbox Children’s Museum, community is at the heart of everything we do—and our newest exhibit, created in partnership with Hilton Head Preparatory School, is a powerful example of what can happen when education, creativity, and collaboration come together.
This initiative was led by a dedicated team from Hilton Head Prep: Leah Davis, Sarah DeMaria, Krista Hanna, Brad Hanna, and Danielle Keller, whose vision and passion helped bring this immersive experience to life.
As Hilton Head Prep celebrates its 60th anniversary, their team set out with a goal rooted in connection: to extend learning beyond the classroom and engage more deeply with the community. What began as a simple idea to sponsor an activity quickly transformed into something much bigger.
Where It All Began
According to The Sandbox Executive Director, Alicia Powell, this partnership sparked from a single visit. Sarah from Hilton Head Prep first reached out with the idea to visit the museum. After seeing the space and how much it had grown, inspiration took hold almost immediately. From that visit, the team quickly began developing a plan for what would become a fully interactive classroom exhibit.
“What child doesn’t like to play school?”
With that simple and relatable idea, the vision began to take shape.
Bringing a School Day to Life
The first elements imagined were a welcoming schoolhouse entry and a vibrant playground mural—features that immediately invite children into a familiar yet imaginative world. From there, the space grew into a full representation of a school day.
Every detail was thoughtfully designed to reflect both the academic and social aspects of school life: math, reading, science, recess, lunch, and even the school bus. Subtle touches, like college pennants, encourage children to think about their future and dream big while they play.
The result is a space where children can step into the role of both student and teacher— building confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
The Power of Hands-On Learning
This exhibit is more than just a play space—it reflects a shared belief that children learn best through hands-on experiences.
Through interactive play, children naturally develop essential skills. They practice counting and reading, strengthen fine motor skills, and engage in problem-solving and collaboration. Just as importantly, they begin to see themselves in new roles—as leaders, thinkers, and even teachers.
Hands-on environments like this mirror how children learn best: through exploration, creativity, and meaningful discovery.
A Partnership That Strengthens Community
For Alicia Powell, this collaboration represents something even larger than the exhibit itself.
Partnering with other nonprofits and community organizations creates opportunities that benefit everyone. It strengthens connections, expands access to learning, and builds a more vibrant, engaged community.
Hilton Head Prep is now an important part of The Sandbox family, and this partnership continues to grow through shared programming, student volunteers, and new connections with schools across the area.
Learning That Goes Both Ways
The collaboration also extends into The Sandbox STEM Lab, where Hilton Head Prep students volunteer and work directly with younger children.
In these moments, learning becomes something deeper and more meaningful.
By teaching and mentoring, students strengthen their own understanding of critical thinking and problem-solving while building communication skills, confidence, and leadership. At the same time, younger children benefit from engaging role models who make learning feel exciting and accessible.
It’s a true exchange—one where everyone grows.
Looking Ahead
This partnership is just the beginning.
With plans to expand programs, deepen student involvement, and continue building connections across the community, The Sandbox and Hilton Head Prep are creating something that will have a lasting impact.
Because when learning is joyful, hands-on, and shared—it doesn’t just teach skills.
It inspires possibility.
