foundry10

foundry10 is a Seattle-based education research organization with a philanthropic focus.

foundry10 is an education research organization with a philanthropic focus on expanding ideas about learning and creating direct value for youth. In collaboration with diverse partners, we surface, evaluate, and share opportunities to better support youth learning both inside and outside the classroom. We do this through applied and experimental research, as well as collaborative philanthropy and educational programming rooted in evidence-based best practices.

08/27/2026

How can tabletop role-playing games become meaningful tools for learning?

Over six months, 15 educators from across Washington explored that question together through foundry10’s TTRPG Educators Guild.

Participants brought experience from elementary through high school classrooms and fields including science, music, special education, speech-language pathology, library sciences, mental health support, and more. Through hands-on workshops, monthly collaboration, and classroom experimentation, they explored how TTRPGs can support student engagement, creativity, collaboration, and belonging.

The cohort also created space for educators to learn across roles, districts, and disciplines — connections participants said can be difficult to find in their day-to-day work.

Our new blog shares their experiences, the resources they developed, and what they learned from bringing TTRPGs into educational settings.

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/ByiM50ZFQeh

08/24/2026

Could making STEM activities more playful help young children persist when tasks get challenging?

In a foundry10 pilot study with children ages 4 to 6, researchers compared a STEM activity with no pretend-play framing to two pretend-play conditions: doing bug-themed science experiments and doing those same activities while pretending to be a scientist.

Children in both pretend-play conditions attempted an average of three more trials than children in the baseline condition. But asking children to pretend to be scientists did not lead to additional benefits in persistence or accuracy beyond simply doing the science-themed activities.

These preliminary findings suggest that the way a task is framed may matter more than the identity children are asked to take on. For educators and researchers, that could mean keeping playful STEM experiences engaging without making them elaborate.

Explore the findings, recommendations, and questions for future research: https://ow.ly/Hgw250ZC5GA

08/17/2026

What can young people learn by taking a comic from an idea to a finished work they can share with an audience?

Short Run’s Apprenticeship Program for Youth gives participants ages 15-19 the opportunity to explore that process firsthand. Across eight Saturday sessions in September and October, apprentices will learn about comics history and fundamentals, build their drawing and writing skills, and create an original mini-comic by hand.

Apprentices are compensated for their participation and will have the opportunity to display and sell their work at Short Run’s festival on Nov. 7 at Seattle Design Center.

foundry10 is proud to sponsor this opportunity for young people to build creative skills, develop their ideas, and experience the process of producing and sharing their own work.

Applications are due Aug. 30: https://ow.ly/2JO850ZAG8t

08/07/2026

foundry10 is seeking a Senior Researcher, Applied Machine Learning to help develop a collaborative research agenda at the intersection of machine learning, AI, and learning.

As a core member of a new multidisciplinary team, this researcher will investigate how emerging methods can deepen our understanding of human learning, support new forms of assessment and feedback, improve accessibility, and create tools that respond to needs across K–12, post-secondary, and out-of-school environments.

The role combines independent applied research with cross-disciplinary collaboration. Responsibilities include designing and evaluating models, datasets, research systems, prototypes, and analytic pipelines, while contributing thoughtful perspectives on data quality, experimental design, and responsible AI practices.

Explore the full position and apply by the priority deadline of 5 p.m. on August 20, 2026: https://ow.ly/30Zs50ZwPxv

08/03/2026

Youth participatory action research (YPAR) does more than invite young people to share their experiences. It positions them as collaborators who help define research questions, analyze evidence, and identify actions that can improve their schools and communities.

In our new blog, members of foundry10’s Career-Connected Learning and Life Skills team outline key steps for developing a YPAR project and reflect on lessons from the 2026 Action Research Network of the Americas conference.

This blog also previews an upcoming foundry10 project that will combine YPAR with career exploration and introduce high school students to research as a potential career pathway.

Explore the approach and available resources: https://ow.ly/7eWS50ZvXcs

07/29/2026

How can games support meaningful learning experiences?

At the 2026 Serious Play Conference, members of foundry10’s Creativity, Design, and Play team will contribute to two conversations about the role of games in education.

Travis W. Windleharth, Raeesah Azam, and Adam Davis will share early findings from the Game Organization for Knowledge Utility (GOKU) study, a multiyear project with the UW Information School GAMER Group. Conference participants will help envision a learning game database and search tool shaped by educators’ needs and experiences.

Adam will also join a panel exploring how tabletop role-playing games can support academic learning, social and emotional learning, and durable skills such as collaboration, empathy, literacy, and problem-solving.

07/22/2026

Storytelling can take many forms.

During Hip Hop Storytime, middle school-age youth explored storytelling through books, music, technology, and creative collaboration while working alongside near-peer mentors. The program encourages participants to build creative confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and learn from one another through hands-on experiences.

Thank you to our partners at Federal Way Library for helping make this program possible.

📸 Take a look at a few moments from the program.

07/20/2026

What happens when students have the chance to solve real business challenges, work with mentors, and experience college life?

Washington Business Week hosts summer programs at multiple campuses. Our latest blog highlights the program at Eastern Washington University, where high school students spent the week developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on learning. Through scholarship support, foundry10 helped more students from rural communities participate in the experience.

Read how authentic learning experiences can help prepare young people for future careers.

🔗 Read the full blog: https://ow.ly/eo7b50ZoFzF

📸 Photos courtesy of Washington Business Week.

07/15/2026

Looking for an easy way to keep up with foundry10?

Each month, we share highlights from our work in learning spaces, including education research, educator resources, youth voices, and opportunities to connect with our work through scholarships, educator cohorts, and more.

📫 Subscribe to have it delivered straight to your inbox: https://ow.ly/XWU250Zny60

07/10/2026

Calling all Seattle-area educators!

Join foundry10 for our Teachers' Lounge networking event on August 7. Whether you work inside or outside the classroom, this is an opportunity to connect with fellow K-12 educators, share experiences, exchange ideas, and expand your professional community.

Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while learning more about opportunities to partner with foundry10 in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Event details:

Date: August 7, 2026
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Location: Stoup Capitol Hill

We look forward to spending the evening with you! Please RSVP here by August 6: https://ow.ly/1IT650ZmeKb

Address

2157 N Northlake Way #110
Seattle, WA
98103

Telephone

+12066869780

Website

https://www.foundry10.org/

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