Walk into Albertville Elementary, and you can tell right away—this is a space designed for something different.
Murals fill the walls. The rooms feel flexible, inviting. And inside the STEAM lab, there’s an energy that’s hard to miss.
Not because of the technology.
Because of what students are doing with it.
After nearly 30 years in the classroom, educator Melanie Gibson still finds herself excited to teach—but now, it’s for a new reason.
“[The Xploris] made me eager to learn. It made me eager to teach—and to see their lights go off.”
That kind of moment—when curiosity turns into understanding—is exactly what Albertville City Schools has been working toward.
From Watching to Doing
Like many districts, Albertville wanted to move beyond passive learning.
The goal wasn’t just to introduce new tools. It was to create experiences where students could actively explore ideas—testing, building, and discovering in real time.
That shift came with the introduction of the Xploris All-in-One STEAM Lab, part of the MimioSTEM suite.
And almost immediately, classrooms started to feel different.
Learning That Connects
With Xploris, students aren’t switching between disconnected tools or subjects. They’re moving fluidly between them.
In one lesson, they might:
- Create animations to explore math concepts
- Build simple circuits using everyday materials
- Combine coding, engineering, and design in a single project
It’s not about learning subjects separately; it’s about seeing how they work together.
“I want them to be able to create it. I want them to be able to produce it—and that’s what they’re able to do.”
Engagement You Can See
What stands out most isn’t just what students are learning—it’s how they’re learning.
They’re not waiting for answers. They’re testing ideas and seeing results instantly.
“They were so excited to see these things work and in action. They loved it.”
That immediacy keeps students focused. Curious. Willing to try again.
And instead of simply completing assignments, they’re creating something of their own.
“You’re able to do math, science, coding, engineering, artwork, animation—the possibilities are out of this world.”
A Shift That Feels Different
For teachers, the change is just as meaningful.
Because the platform is intuitive, time isn’t lost learning how to use it. Classrooms can jump straight into meaningful work.
And for experienced educators like Gibson, it brings something unexpected back into the day-to-day:
A sense of excitement.
Gibson lit up talking about her next planned activity and how she couldn’t wait to try out the lemon battery experiment with her students. “I’ve already printed out the lesson plans!” she explained enthusiastically.
What Comes Next
Albertville continues to build on this momentum—expanding how STEAM learning shows up across classrooms and grade levels.
The focus isn’t on adding more tools.
It’s on creating connected experiences that keep students engaged, support teachers, and make learning feel real.
Because when students can explore, create, and see results for themselves—learning sticks.
And just as importantly, it inspires them to keep going.
