Imagine stepping onto a school bus and finding yourself inside a fully functional STEM lab that includes:
3D printers and design tools that engage students in creating and prototyping models for hands-on learning
Robotics and coding stations that foster critical thinking and problem-solving through interactive activities
Virtual reality technology that immerses students in dynamic and experiential learning environments
Labdiscs and datalogging tools that allow students to conduct real-world experiments and analyze data
Comprehensive STEM curriculum from MyStemKits.com that provides guided lessons and activities for all skill levels
Interactive floor and flexible STEM furnishings that support collaboration and enhance engagement
For students at Durant Independent School District (DISD) in rural Oklahoma, that’s a reality. Thanks to the district’s visionary leaders and collaboration with PowerUpEDU and Boxlight, DISD has created a groundbreaking mobile STEM lab that inspires creativity, curiosity and hands-on learning throughout the district.
.png)
“This one began with the visionary leadership of Beth Bean and Superintendent Meredith,” says Maggie Phillips, Head of Professional Learning at PowerUpEDU. Bean, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, had been looking for ways to bring better STEM opportunities to every student in the district, regardless of background or grade level, and saw an unused bus as a great “vehicle” for that vision.
Designing the Ultimate STEM Space
Figuring out how to build an innovative STEM space within the confines of a bus was an initial challenge, but the partnership gave the district the guidance and technology they needed to equip it with the latest and greatest. The result is a mobile STEM lab packed with state-of-the-art technology and interactive tools that provide students with hands-on experiences in design, robotics, coding, virtual reality and more.
.png)
“Companies like PowerUpEDU, that was our partner from the beginning,” said Bean. “And using technologies like Boxlight—which we have their whole ecosystem in our bus—has really allowed us to make sure that we have the best of the best in educational technology to offer to our students.”
Extending STEM Learning Beyond the Bus
The impact of the STEM bus extends far beyond its four wheels. Evidence of those tools and technologies abound in classrooms across the district.
.png)
“When you walk down the halls of the schools, you’re seeing 3D printers, you’re seeing Labdiscs, you’re seeing innovative access to MyStemKits and other resources,” said Phillips. “And what we’re really excited to see is that learning that starts on the bus translates and transforms education in the traditional classrooms.”
Looking to the Future
At the heart of this initiative has been DISD’s commitment to equity to making sure that every student in every grade has access to high-quality STEM experiences. Through exposure to cutting-edge technology and strategic professional learning, DISD is striving to give learners a solid foundation for future learning and success in STEM fields.
We, too, are excited to be part of that work and to highlight what’s possible when a district goes all in on empowering the next generation of creators, problem-solvers and innovators.
.png)
