Celebrating Innovation: Ribbon Cutting for the Mars STEAM Wing at Foxcroft School
Foxcroft Head of School Lisa Kaenzig speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony
Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC) was proud to join Foxcroft School faculty, students, alumnae, and community partners for the ribbon-cutting celebration of the new Mars STEAM Wing, a space designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and collaboration for generations to come.
The celebration marked the culmination of months of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and construction. The Mars STEAM Wing represents more than a new building—it reflects Foxcroft School’s commitment to hands-on learning and forward-thinking education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
A Space Designed for Discovery
The Mars STEAM Wing was intentionally designed to support experiential learning across disciplines. From flexible classrooms and advanced lab spaces to collaborative areas that encourage teamwork and innovation, the new building provides students with the tools and environment needed to explore real-world challenges.
Throughout the project, our team worked closely with Foxcroft School to ensure the space aligned with the school’s educational mission while meeting the highest standards of quality, safety, and functionality. The result is a bright, modern facility that seamlessly integrates with the campus while pushing the boundaries of what a STEAM learning environment can be.
A Meaningful Milestone
CWC leadership and the project team gathered for a photo in one of the building’s new science labs
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together school leadership, donors, project partners, and students, who are already using the space daily. Remarks from Head of School Lisa Kaenzig highlighted the importance of the Mars STEAM Wing in preparing students to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and lead confidently in an ever-changing world.
Seeing the excitement on students’ faces as they toured the new Wing was a powerful reminder of why projects like this matter. Educational spaces shape experiences, spark passions, and open doors to future opportunities.
Collaboration at Its Best
As part of Foxcroft School’s Project STEAM Build initiative, members of the project team went beyond construction to engage directly with students in the classroom. Through a series of hands-on seminars, our team shared real-world construction knowledge and demonstrated how STEAM concepts are applied on an active jobsite. One standout session invited students to create their own concrete, giving them a tangible understanding of material science, engineering principles, and the importance of precision in construction. These interactive experiences connected classroom learning with real-world application, offering students a unique perspective on the built environment and the many career paths involved in planning, designing, and delivering the spaces we use every day. In recognition of Foxcroft’s all-girls community, the project was led by an all-female project management team, offering students visible role models in the construction industry.
Project Engineer Caitlin Shirvinski, along with other members of the project team, took time to teach students hands-on lessons in construction
Looking Ahead
Projects like the Mars STEAM Wing are successful because of strong partnerships. We are grateful for the collaboration with Foxcroft School and the entire project team, whose shared vision and dedication brought this facility to life.
At CWC, we take pride in building spaces that serve communities and support meaningful missions. Working on an academic project that empowers young minds made this project especially rewarding.
As the Mars STEAM Wing opens its doors, we look forward to seeing the innovative work, discoveries, and ideas that emerge from within its walls. We are honored to have played a role in creating a space where learning, creativity, and inspiration can thrive.
Congratulations to Foxcroft School on this exciting new chapter—we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you.