Where the Sciences of Learning and Reading Become Practice.

The SoLaR Lab offers live and on-demand professional learning for educators who want research to be understandable, relevant, and useful in real classrooms.

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What Is The SoLaR Lab?

SoLaR brings together the Sciences of Learning and Reading. These bodies of research are distinct, but educators need both. The Science of Reading helps explain how reading develops and what supports word recognition and language comprehension. The Science of Learning helps explain how attention, memory, practice, knowledge, and retrieval influence whether learning lasts.

The SoLaR Lab connects these ideas to the instructional decisions educators make every day.

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SoLaR Foundations

Early literacy and learning for educators supporting young readers. Explore foundational skills, assessment-informed teaching, small-group instruction, language development, and the learning principles that help early reading instruction stick.

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SoLaR Across the Grades

Adolescent literacy, disciplinary learning, and evidence-informed instruction for grades 4–12. Explore vocabulary, morphology, knowledge building, comprehension, and literacy across content areas.

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LILACS in Practice

Culturally sustainable teaching grounded in the six pillars of the LILACS Framework. Use reflection, planning, and professional learning to strengthen the connection between evidence-based instruction, identity, relationships, and belonging.

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Featured Experiences

Adolescent Literacy Shifts

A free orientation for grades 4–12 educators who want to understand current adolescent literacy priorities and connect the Sciences of Reading and Learning to vocabulary, knowledge, comprehension, and instruction across disciplines.

Making Adolescent Vocabulary Stick

A 90-minute live masterclass in which educators learn and apply the WORD Process: Weigh the word, Open its structure, Relate meaning and context, and Distribute practice.

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What to Expect

Clear explanations of complex research
Practical examples across grades and content areas
Guided application rather than passive listening
Reusable tools, workbooks, and planning resources
Culturally sustainable and learner-centered perspectives
Learning experiences designed with memory and cognitive load in mind

Led by Heather Blackwell, PhD

Dr. Blackwell is a literacy scholar, college professor, professional learning leader, and founder of Purposeful Literacy. She brings experience in research, teacher education, literacy technical assistance, curriculum development, and professional learning to every SoLaR Lab experience.

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