Alvin Independent School District (Alvin ISD), located just south of Houston, has long been committed to creating dynamic learning experiences that spark curiosity and inspire students to explore beyond the classroom. One of their most inventive approaches is their fleet of retrofitted school buses—mobile labs designed to bring literacy, STEM, and hands-on exploration directly to students.
What began as a single Book Bus grew into a fully realized STEM Bus, offering immersive, technology-rich experiences that hook learners from the moment they step inside. When selecting tools for this mobile STEM environment, Alvin ISD wanted solutions that were intuitive, engaging, and capable of delivering authentic scientific inquiry. They found that—and more—in Boxlight’s Xploris and Labdisc technologies.
A Student-Centered Approach to STEM Technology
For Mayra Martinez, Alvin ISD’s STEM Bus Specialist, the selection process always comes back to one essential question: What will capture a student’s curiosity?
Her first impression of the Xploris device was immediate - it looked fun. The bright, colorful design and emoji-driven interface signaled that this was a tool designed with students in mind.
“It didn’t look boring. It looked bright, it looked colorful… it is very student friendly. Everything together is just very kid-friendly,”
— Mayra Martinez, STEM Bus Specialist
This focus on approachability is key to Alvin ISD’s mission: making STEM accessible for all learners, especially those just beginning to explore hands-on investigation.
Turning Everyday Observations into Real Scientific Data
One of the most powerful outcomes of using Xploris and Labdisc is how easily students can gather and interpret real-world data. The compact handheld devices quickly connect to a computer, allowing learners to visualize their findings in seconds.
Students are often surprised at how capable the devices truly are.
“They look at it thinking, ‘OK, this is a very small device and it’s actually connecting to the computer and it’s reading out the different colors and giving me some data.’”
During a community STEM Night, fourth-grader Amina exemplified this excitement. Using the Xploris to measure light levels, she transformed a simple station activity into an investigation about how clothing color affects warmth on a sunny Texas day. In just a few minutes, she was able to explain what she learned—proving the power of quick, meaningful data collection.
Another parent present at the STEM night raved about the experience. “We had so much fun! … I have a first grader and a pre-K-er and they learned a ton … my kids were like cheering as they were doing these different experiments with the team in there."
Encouraging Independent Exploration and Scientific Thinking
Beyond ease of use, Alvin ISD values how these tools foster independence. Rather than needing constant guidance, students can experiment on their own, testing ideas and interpreting results with growing confidence.
“It’s a unique way to allow kids to experiment themselves… a way to get information in a way that kids can understand.”
This shift from teacher-directed activity to student-driven discovery builds not only skills, but also ownership of learning—an essential ingredient in STEM success.
A Must-Have for Classrooms and Mobile STEM Labs
For educators seeking to strengthen hands-on STEM instruction, Martinez sees Xploris and Labdisc as standout additions.
“I would highly recommend the Xploris and the Labdisc to really any school-age classroom… It brings real-life data. It is user friendly, kid friendly, very vibrant, and easy to use.
Whether in traditional classrooms or innovative spaces like Alvin ISD’s STEM Bus, these tools help students explore the world around them—turning curiosity into understanding and learning into excitement.
To see more of Alvin ISD’s journey and how they integrate MimioSTEM tools, watch their 2024 video spotlight.
https://boxlight.com/resources/customer-success-and-case-studies/alvin-isd
