Jan 6, 2026
Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Dr. Leah Hanes, CEO of
Two-Bit Circus Foundation, to discuss how hands-on, experiential
learning is transforming education for students across Los Angeles
and beyond. After 13 years leading the organization, Dr. Hanes
shares her personal journey from a student labeled a "slow learner"
due to undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a passionate advocate for
reimagining how we teach creativity, collaboration, and critical
thinking. The conversation explores the Foundation's innovative
programs—STEAM Labs, Makerspaces, STEAM Carnivals, and immersive
learning experiences—all designed to make education engaging and
accessible regardless of economic background.
A core theme throughout the episode is the failure of traditional,
lecture-based education to engage modern learners. Dr. Hanes
emphasizes that students retain only 10% of what they read after
two weeks, while learning skyrockets when knowledge is applied to
real projects. She advocates for "doing, not sitting"—flipping
classrooms to spend 40 minutes making and 10 minutes talking,
rather than the reverse. The episode also tackles timely issues
like AI in education (which Dr. Hanes sees as an assistive
technology when used ethically), the $25 billion annual cost of
standardized testing with minimal educational value, and the power
of collaborative group work to build empathy and real-world
readiness.
Dr. Hanes shares compelling stories, including a young artist who
discovered she could become an engineer through a STEAM project and
went on to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship—the first in her
family to attend university. She also discusses the Foundation's
"Trash for Teaching" initiative, which has diverted over 900 tons
of manufacturers' clean waste from landfills, giving schools free
creative materials while providing companies tax benefits. The
Foundation recently opened a 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is
planning to expand its teacher training programs, partner with
local universities, and scale the Trash for Teaching model
globally.
Key Takeaways
* Education should prioritize doing over
sitting. Hands-on, project-based learning
dramatically improves retention and student engagement.
* Collaboration builds empathy and
strength. Group work mirrors real-world environments
and allows students to discover their unique strengths.
* Creative materials (not kits) foster
invention. Open-ended "trash" encourages students to
become designers and engineers, not 'instruction-followers'.
* Teachers need to experience joyful learning
themselves. Professional development that models
creativity and fun transforms how teachers approach their
classrooms.
* Scaling innovation requires
partnership. Two-Bit Circus Foundation's umbrella
model brings together complementary nonprofits to reach more
students sustainably.
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Resources & Links
Small & Gutsy Podcast
https://www.smallandgutsy.org
Two-Bit Circus Foundation
https://twobitcircus.org