“Looking at the pixels, being able to look at the different emojis that it uses, how it interacts with the student… it is very student friendly. Everything together is just very kid-friendly”
— Mayra Martinez, STEM Bus Specialist
Watch how the Alvin STEM Bus impacts learning
Installation Snapshot:
Largest school district in Brazoria County (Gulf Coast region of Texas)
35 schools: 21 elementary schools, 4 high schools, 1 school of choice high school, 9 junior high schools
Approximately 30,000 students and 3,600 employees
Texas district strengthens STEM learning with Boxlight’s Xploris and Labdisc technologies
Alvin Independent School District (Alvin ISD), located just south of Houston, is committed to providing innovative learning experiences that spark curiosity and deepen understanding across all grade levels.
One of the most notable ways they do that is by retrofitting old school buses with one-of-a-kind experiences for students. They started with a Book Bus, that allowed students to pick out and bring home books when it visited their school campus. That bus was such a success that they expanded their mobile solutions and created a STEM bus, filled with interactive and exciting experiences to introduce students to scientific concepts and cutting-edge technologies.
When seeking technology to use on the STEM bus, they sought tools that would not only meet instructional goals but also capture student interest from the moment the device was in their hands.
According to Mayra Martinez, STEM Bus Specialist for Alvin ISD, Boxlight’s Xploris and Labdisc solutions immediately stood out. “The first time I saw the Xploris … one thing I liked about it is that it didn’t look boring. It looked bright, it looked colorful”, she shared.
Prioritizing Student-Friendly Design
Martinez approached the decision from a student’s point of view: What will hook them? What will make them curious enough to explore? She noted that the vibrant design, use of a colorful screen, and intuitive interface made the devices uniquely inviting.
“Looking at the pixels, being able to look at the different emojis that it uses, how it interacts with the student… it is very student friendly. Everything together is just very kid-friendly”, said Martinez.
This focus on accessibility and engagement aligned perfectly with the district’s goal of making STEM learning more approachable - especially for younger learners or students new to hands-on investigation.
Real-World Data Collection Made Easy
One of the standout benefits for Alvin ISD is the way the Xploris and Labdisc devices allow students to gather and analyze real data quickly. The simplicity of pairing the small handheld device with a computer makes it easy for students to make authentic scientific observations.
Students are often surprised by how powerful the compact devices 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”, Martinez noted. The immediate feedback helps students draw connections between hands-on activities and digital data representation.
For example, 4-grader Amina was one of dozens of students who got to experience the STEM bus on a recent community night. She visited multiple stations inside the bus, including one where she was tasked with measuring light levels in their environment using the Xploris. A simple activity became a memorable science investigation that naturally encouraged conversation, questioning, and interpretation. When Amina finished her time on the bus, she was able to recount the activity and what she had learned during the quick five-minute station. Amina shared how the colors you wear can impact how warm you get on a sunny Texas day.
Supporting Independent Experimentation
Beyond ease of use, Martinez emphasized how the tools promote self-directed learning. Students can explore, test, and discover concepts without requiring constant step-by-step guidance from the teacher.
Speaking about both the Labdisc and Xploris solutions, “What I really liked about this was that I think it’s a unique way to allow kids to experiment themselves… a way to get information in a way that kids can understand”, she said.
The district sees this as an important step in building scientific confidence—students not only follow procedures but understand the why behind the data they collect.
A Valuable Addition to Classrooms and Mobile STEM Labs
Martinez strongly recommends the Xploris and Labdisc systems for educators looking to provide authentic, engaging STEM learning.
“I would highly recommend, coming in as a teacher, the Xploris and the Labdisc to really any school-age classroom because it does bring real-life data. It is user friendly, kid friendly, very vibrant, and easy to use”, she said. “Definitely something that is worth having in the classroom or even in a mobile STEM lab.”
With this technology, Alvin ISD continues to expand hands-on opportunities that help students explore the world around them—turning curiosity into understanding and learning into excitement.