Reed Hollett
Enrichment Scholarship
Fund
The Reed Hollett Enrichment Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Reed Hollett by his parents, in partnership with Acera staff, to honor his curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. For the past ten years, the fund has enabled low-income students from across Massachusetts to participate in Acera’s award-winning enrichment programs. Each February, the Acera community comes together to celebrate Reed’s legacy and raise critical funds to ensure these transformative opportunities remain accessible to all students.

Reed Hollett was a beloved Acera teacher who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. “Reed was a true practitioner of hands-on learning, for that was how he himself learned. And that’s what made him such a gifted educator. He was simply passing the torch of all the cool things he had discovered on to his students. Reed’s legacy lives on in the passion he shared, the values he espoused, and the love we all still feel when we think of him.”
– Vanessa Roman, former Acera teacher
A Fundraiser to Benefit the Reed Hollett Enrichment Scholarship Fund
Friday, February 27, 2026 + 6:00-8:30 PM + Tickets: $50/ per adult
Have you ever wished you could sit in on an Acera class? You’ve heard the stories at home—the projects, the debates, the “aha” moments—and thought, “That sounds incredible. I want to learn that.”
Now you can.
For one night only, Acera flips the script: parents become students as our remarkable teachers lead the very kinds of classes your children can’t wait to attend—and hate to miss during school vacations. Expect hands-on projects, big ideas, surprising connections, and the kind of learning that makes time fly.
Sit in on one of the classes that your students can’t wait to attend! Attendees get to choose 2 classes! We are using the campbrain platform to ensure that attendees get the classes they want! Once you login, it’s a quick process! We promise.
Reserve your spots today at https://aceraschool.campbrainregistration.com/
Cooking with Kevin (Specialist Teacher—8 spots)
Discover the joy of cooking with Kevin and see why our students can’t wait to learn cooking from him! Kevin’s cooking class will guide participants in creating meaningful, delicious recipes you’ll want to make again and again.
Engineering Field Sketching for Design with Josh (Engineering, Woodshop Specialist—15 spots)
In this hands-on, hybrid session, participants will learn how to create rapid engineering “field sketches” to document existing objects or plan designs for fabrication. Instructor Josh, a civil engineer with years of experience in environmental and civil projects, will demonstrate how to produce clear, functional sketches that include visible and hidden lines, title blocks, leaders and labels, dimensions, and design notes. Participants will then apply these techniques by creating their own field sketch of an object in the Woodshop or developing a simple design of their own.
Digital Modeling & Simulation with Danny (Computer Science Specialist—10 spots)
Learn digital 3-D modeling and interactive simulations with Danny, an Acera Specialist Teacher with a background in Geoscience from MIT and extensive experience in digital design and game-based learning. This hands-on class is designed for curious adults who want to explore creative technology, simple coding, and digital visualization in an approachable, low-pressure environment.
Know Your Place in Time and Space with Alison Earnhart (Specialist Teacher—15 spots)
Discover the night sky with Alison, a science and engineering educator with a master’s degree from UT Austin and a background in physics and project-based learning. This hands-on astronomy lesson invites adults to explore how to map the heavens, understand celestial coordinate systems, and see how people have used the stars to navigate and mark time throughout history.
A Mathematical Exploration of the Number 1089 with Bob (Core Classroom Teacher—15 spots)
Join Bob, a veteran Acera educator with a master’s degree in education and a deep love of math and storytelling, for a one-of-a-kind exploration of the surprising magic of the number 1089. This lively presentation—beloved by Acera algebra students—reveals unexpected patterns and mathematical “tricks” that delight, puzzle, and inspire.
Nature in Clay: Exploring Form & Texture with Camila (Visual Arts Specialist Teacher—15 spots)
Sculpt and create with Camila, a masterful visual artist and educator with a Harvard Graduate School of Education degree and professional roots as a full-time artist in Havana, Cuba. This hands-on class invites adults to learn new sculpting techniques or deepen existing skills in a thoughtful, studio-style environment.
Monotype Gelli Plate Printed Cards with Ms. Kathy (Textile Arts Teacher—12 spots)
Discover the joy of low-stress printmaking with Kathy, a masterful texture artist and seasoned educator celebrated for her inventive and intentional approach to teaching. Drawing on years of experience blending the arts, science, and nature, Kathy will lead participants through a hands-on Gelli plate monoprinting workshop. Using acrylic paints, masks, stencils, and texture tools, adults will create unique, beautiful prints—perfect for one-of-a-kind cards or collage papers for scrapbooking.
Speculative Fiction with Vered (Core Classroom Teacher—15 spots)
Explore the power of “what if?” with Vered, a literature-trained educator passionate about inquiry and creative thinking. In this mini class, adults will tackle a provocative question, consider its many possibilities, and experiment with storytelling across imagined timelines. Through writing, and imaginative exploration, Vered guides participants in stretching their thinking and sharpening their creativity.
Poetry with Ms. Deborah (Core Classroom Teacher—15 spots)
Step into a real Acera poetry class—no prior expertise required. Taught by Upper School Core Classroom teacher Deborah Barolsky, who brings over 25 years of experience in public and private schools, this 40-minute, hands-on lesson invites you to read, explore, and analyze poetry together.
You’ll uncover rhythm, poetic features, and what defines poetry itself—while experiencing the joyful, rigorous learning that keeps Acera students so engaged.
Human Heart: Structure & Function with Aaron (Science Specialist Teacher—12 spots)
Discover how the cardiovascular system responds to stress with Aaron, an experienced science educator with a PhD in biology and extensive field and research experience worldwide. Through hands-on models and guided experiments, participants will observe heart rate, electrical activity, and circulation in action, gaining a tangible, intuitive understanding of how the body adapts to changing demands.
ElectroArt: Watercolors with a Twist with Flor (STEAM Specialist Teacher—15 spots)
Discover the intersection of art and technology with Flor Delgadillo, an artist and STEAM educator whose work has been exhibited internationally. In this hands-on workshop, parents will explore creativity through watercolor art combined with simple paper circuits, in a unqiue fashion, bringing color and light to life in playful experiments. Drawing on years of experience teaching coding, electronics, 3D modeling, and digital fabrication, Flor makes complex STEAM concepts approachable, inspiring, and endlessly fun.
Respectful Disassembly with David (Technology Educator & Manager—6 spots)
Discover the hidden potential of old technology with David, Acera’s TechHub mentor and hands-on electronics expert. Through the careful, purposeful, and respectful exploration of old or disused devices, parents will uncover the history behind the technology while developing practical skills to troubleshoot, repair, and refurbish laptops, gadgets, and mechanical parts. Fans, gears, motors, LEDs, and casings can then be repurposed into robots, vehicles, boats, or even works of art—transforming discarded electronics into creative, hands-on projects that spark curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation.
Snakes on a Plain with Mark (Math Specialist Teacher—8 spots)
Explore math in a fresh, engaging way with award-winning educator Mark, whose decades of experience, books, and innovative teaching bring challenging, thought-provoking concepts to life. Perfect for adults who want to stretch their thinking, deepen their understanding, and see the beauty and creativity of math like never before.
Piracy: Articles of Agreement with Anastasia (Core Classroom Teacher—15 spots)
Step into the world of pirates with Anastasia, an experienced educator who blends history, science, and economics into hands-on adventures. Debate the fairness of pirate “Articles of Agreement,” weigh the risks of sailing with the British Navy versus going rogue, and uncover how societies create and assign value—through lively discussion, games, and real-world problem-solving. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a chance to think like a pirate, challenge assumptions, and have fun exploring big ideas with other curious adults.
Back Country Essentials with Dave from Guinea Fowl (Founder of Guinea Fowl—15 spots)
Learn how to pack for adventure with Dave, a lifelong outdoorsman and founder of Guinea Fowl Adventure Company. In this hands-on workshop, parents will discover the essentials for a safe and enjoyable backcountry hike—what to bring, why each item matters, and how to pack efficiently for any outing. Drawing on decades of outdoor experience and a passion for connecting people with nature, Dave makes backcountry preparation approachable, practical, and engaging, giving participants the confidence to explore the wilderness with ease.