Growing a smarter city; STEM education in the Silicon Forest

Looking for a new home in a neighborhood that’s built to support lifelong learning? You’ve come to the right place. At Reed’s Crossing, we believe that every moment can be a teaching moment—and that’s why we designed the community to support various types of learning, in the classroom and beyond.

For parents seeking more ways to nurture curiosity and confidence in STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering, and math—this is a place where young minds can thrive. But what makes STEM so critical right now, and why does it matter even more in a place like Hillsboro?

Hillsboro, Oregon’s commitment to STEM

Today’s students are entering a world shaped by automation, data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, and the skills they acquire through STEM education are crucial to helping them excel. That’s especially true in Hillsboro, a city at the heart of Oregon’s "Silicon Forest." Home to Intel and dozens of other high-tech employers, Hillsboro is a hub of innovation where STEM is a way of life. For families living here, that means children are raised in a place that values invention, exploration, and forward-thinking ideas.

Equipping kids with STEM skills does more than open doors to high-demand careers; it helps them learn to ask better questions, solve complex problems, and think critically about the world around them. And when those values are echoed at home and in the community, the learning becomes even more powerful. Fortunately, one local school is already leading the way with a unique program that brings STEM to life for students every day.

Tapping into local partnerships

One of the standout features of STEM education in Reed’s Crossing is the OMSI Lab at Tamarack Elementary, the first of its kind in Oregon. More than just a typical science classroom, this space provides students with access to real scientific tools that bring complex concepts to life and spark their curiosity. Kids have the opportunity to get hands-on with chemistry, robotics, ecology, and more, with workstations equipped with microscopes, LEGO robotics kits, and lab tanks for exploring ecosystems.

“It was such a new concept that I remember on the first day of school, the kids would come in unsure, asking, ‘What are we even going to do in this class?’ There was just this excitement and buzz around OMSI being within their school," said Maddie Ehl, OMSI's Hillsboro educator. "As the year progressed, each day brought new opportunities to explore topics that their regular classroom schedules might not allow them to fully dive into.”

The lab also supports after-school clubs, summer camps, and field trips. With over 1,300 students served each year across four district schools, OMSI’s presence strengthens STEM learning throughout the Hillsboro School District. But the learning doesn’t stop when they leave school!

Exploration beyond the classroom

In a neighborhood where learning is woven into the landscape, kids get inspired at every turn; it’s the kind of place every parent hopes to find. Here at Reed’s Crossing, residents are surrounded by opportunities to extend this curiosity well beyond the classroom. 

The community is built to support everyday learning through intentional design, with multimodal paths that encourage outdoor exploration, community gardens that spark an interest in biology and sustainability, and the Nature Education Area, a space for kids to ask questions, observe the world around them, and make their own discoveries.

At Hillsboro Farmers’ Market in Reed’s Crossing Park, kids enjoy fun, educational activities as part of the Market Sprouts Kids Club program. In the Market Sprouts booth, children engage with local farmers and get to know where their food comes from, inspiring a new generation of informed and healthy eaters. 

Nearby, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals offers a fascinating glimpse into geology, paleontology, and natural history. With stunning crystal formations, real fossils, and hands-on exhibits, it’s a hidden gem where kids can dig into science. 

And Washington County libraries offer maker spaces, coding workshops, and mobile programming such as Library on the Loose, a traveling learning hub that brings STEAM (STEM + Arts) activities directly into local neighborhoods and parks, including our own Tamarack Park. 

Minds in motion, dreams in making

Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a place that sparks their imagination, supports their learning, and encourages them to dream big. At Reed’s Crossing, families find more than beautiful homes—they find a community designed to nurture young minds and build lasting connections.

Looking for a new home in a community designed to support your family? Take a virtual tour, come by for a visit, or sneak a peek at what’s in store for the future.