“The Xploris made me eager to learn. It made me eager to teach—and to see their lights go off.”
— Melanie Gibson, Educator
Watch how Albertville City Schools impacts learning
Installation Snapshot:
5,842 Students
457 Staff
6 Schools
Igniting Creativity Through Hands-On STEAM Learning
Albertville City Schools, a small-city district in northeastern Alabama serving approximately 6,000 students, is committed to delivering engaging, future-ready learning experiences. With experienced educators like Melanie Gibson leading the way, the district continues to evolve instruction to emphasize creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on exploration.
A Classroom That Feels Different
Step inside Albertville Elementary, and you immediately sense something different. The walls are alive with murals, student work, and possibility. Tucked inside the STEM lab, the atmosphere shifts even more—soft lighting, flexible seating, and shelves filled with tools that invite curiosity.
But what stands out most isn’t the space, it’s energy.
After nearly 30 years in the classroom, educator Melanie Gibson still finds herself genuinely excited. Not just about teaching—but about what her students can now create.
“[The Xploris] made me eager to learn. It made me eager to teach—and to see their lights go off.”
That sense of renewed enthusiasm is at the heart of Albertville’s approach to STEAM.
The Challenge
Like many districts, Albertville educators wanted to move beyond passive learning and create more opportunities for students to actively engage with content.
They needed tools that could:
Support hands-on, project-based learning
Provide immediate feedback to sustain engagement
Connect across multiple disciplines—not silo learning into single subjects
Be intuitive enough for quick adoption by both teachers and students
The goal wasn’t simply adding technology. It was finding something that could transform how students experience learning—and how teachers experience teaching.
The Solution
Albertville introduced the Xploris All-in-One STEAM Lab, part of the MimioSTEM suite, to bring hands-on, connected learning into the classroom.
From the start, it changed the dynamic.
Students began using Xploris to visualize, build, and experiment in real time—moving seamlessly between subjects without needing different tools. In one moment, they might explore symmetry through pixel-based animation. In the next, they’re testing lemon batteries.
For Gibson, the shift was immediate and personal.
“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.”
The device didn’t just support instruction—it opened up new ways to teach.
The Results
Engagement That Happens in the Moment
Students aren’t waiting to see if something works—they’re discovering it instantly. That immediacy keeps them focused, curious, and invested.
“They were so excited to see these things work and in action. They loved it.”
Creativity Becomes the Standard
Instead of consuming content, students design, test, and refine their own ideas across disciplines.
“You’re able to do math, science, coding, engineering, artwork, animation—the possibilities are out of this world.”
Confidence for Teachers and Students
Because the platform is intuitive, classrooms spend less time learning the tool and more time using it meaningfully.
A Break from the Expected
For a veteran educator, the difference is clear. This isn’t just another program—it’s something that stands out.
Gibson’s enthusiasm reflects a broader shift: when tools truly support exploration and creativity, they don’t add complexity—they reignite purpose.
