(Credit: MCIU)
Since its grand opening in August 2024, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit’s (MCIU) Discovery Center in Lansdale has been making waves throughout the community with its transformative approach to learning.
This 51,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility prioritizes student-centered education in a modern, open-air environment, featuring seamlessly integrated technology, flexible spaces, and a sprawling horticultural area, all designed to foster engagement and inspire creativity.
Hosting MCIU’s early childhood programs including Head Start, Pre-K Counts, and Early Intervention, along with Transition services for students aged 14-22, the Discovery Center has been thoughtfully designed to support the diverse needs of its students in a personalized, dynamic environment.
The EnVision Program at the MCIU Discovery Center
A flagship program of the Discovery Center is MCIU’s EnVision Program, a career readiness initiative for transition-age students with disabilities. The program offers hands-on education and skills training to prepare students for competitive employment, combining classroom instruction, lab work, and community-based practicum experiences. Labs within the EnVision Program include Agriculture/Horticulture, Early Learning, Hospitality/Human Services (including Cosmetology), Manufacturing and Production, and more. Purposefully developed around the unique, flexible layout of the facility, each lab is expertly tailored to provide students with the equipment, technology, and space needed for effective, hands-on training and skill development.
The Discovery Center also features a comprehensive Independent Living Program designed to equip students with disabilities aged 18-22 with the skills necessary to navigate the real world. The program incorporates Culinary Arts, Family and Consumer Science, and Community Access, all within a fully furnished apartment setting. The space includes a kitchen, bedroom, computer room, and living room, providing students with a realistic environment to practice independent living. Students engage in over 100 real-life activities, such as filing taxes, reading and paying bills, preparing budgets, and completing credit card applications. These hands-on experiences help students build confidence and develop the essential skills needed to live independently and successfully.
Looking Ahead
The Discovery Center required years of meticulous planning and development, and was holistically designed in collaboration with MCIU offices, parents, guardians, and the broader community. It embodies MCIU’s mission to provide educational excellence for all learners and lays the foundation for our organization’s continued growth as a leader in educational inclusivity and innovation.
“It is rewarding to be part of creating safe spaces where kids are able to come and learn,” said Alfred E. Howard, Director of Facilities and Operations at MCIU. “Seeing them walk into a new building that is bright and airy with modern and innovative features and knowing that we helped to make their school experience a happy one, especially for underserved populations, is amazing.”
About Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) is a dynamic educational service agency that provides visionary leadership, impactful services, and strategic solutions that maximize access and opportunities for all learners. MCIU provides a vast array of effective and efficient services that meet the educational and social service needs of Montgomery County’s 200-plus schools, including the 22 public school districts, more than 150 nonpublic schools, four career-technical schools, three charter schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
