Mission to Mars and Beyond: Bringing Hands-On STEM Learning to Cheatham County Schools

students presenting to the class infront of a Clevertouch IMPACT interactive display
three coloured blocks (boxlight) logo

“They love the 3D printers,” said Riann Offutt-Price, STEM teacher at Cheatham County School District in Tennessee.

“They love to watch them. They like to see what we're printing, how long it's going to take. It’s pretty mind-blowing for them.”

“Every week, we’re doing something different.”
 — STEM teacher Riann Offutt-Price

See how 3-D printing is inspiring Cheatham County Schools students!
Installation Snapshot:
  • Rural district outside of metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee
  • 14 schools: 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, 1 specialty school and 1 virtual academy
  • Approximately 5,610 students and 868 employees

The Challenge

 
Cheatham County Schools needed to provide all students—particularly younger learners—more opportunities to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Without that early exposure to STEM exploration, many struggle to develop foundational skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The district also wanted to develop summer enrichment programs so students could further engage in STEM learning outside of the traditional school year.
The district set out to find cost-effective, user-friendly STEM resources that would align with the curriculum and would be accessible to all students, including English Language Learners (ELLs), students with auditory processing challenges, and others with diverse learning needs.

 

 

Key Solutions

 
Finding the right technology required a collaborative approach. Teachers and administrators worked together to evaluate tools, making sure that everything was both practical and impactful, and—in partnership with Boxlight—they began the integration.
MyStemKits curriculum provided a dynamic resource that ties in with Next Generation Science Standards. Students are able to dive into 3D printing technology as they design and create customized materials, building strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, along with creativity.
Portable data collection devices called Labdiscs equip students to conduct hands-on experiments both inside and outside of the classroom. With these tools, they can hone their understanding of scientific methods while learning how to conduct field research utilizing real-time data analysis and reporting.
The district is also focusing on giving middle school students early exposure to STEAM careers, immersing students in career exploration and pre-CTE pathways and providing a strong foundation for high school STEM programs.
In 2024, the district launched its Mission to Mars Summer Camp, which gave students rich opportunities to participate in hands-on STEM projects like designing rockets and learning about planetary travel. “It’s been an excellent return on investment,” said Chris Cooper, Cheatham County Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director and STEAM Coordinator. “Students have had a great summer of learning and exploration.”
 

Benefits

3D printers and Labdiscs add variety, excitement and a sense of discovery to STEM learning throughout the district. The ability to design physical models and collect real-world data has ignited students’ curiosity and markedly improved engagement. Labdiscs’ portability also makes it possible to move lessons beyond the classroom for interesting, real-world experiences in which all students can participate. “We can take science out of the classroom and into the real world,” said Cooper. 
Students can now see beyond traditional roles and gain a clearer understanding of the diverse possibilities that lie in STEM fields. “No job is just what you see on the poster,” Cooper explained. “Our goal is to show students the teams and processes behind the work, helping them identify pathways that align with their interests.”
The district is also saving money. Reusable materials in MyStemKits support a broad range of STEM activities without the need to purchase new supplies. 
After the success of the Mission to Mars STEM Camp, Cheatham decided to expand access to this technology throughout their district. They added our high-speed Robo E4 printers to their collection this past December, and extended their MyStemKits subscription to make sure that all their students can have increased access to this cutting-edge technology.  
STEM learning is now tangible, accessible, and engaging for all students in Cheatham County Schools, and we’re so proud to be part of that collaborative work. Thanks to the district’s integration of versatile, curriculum-aligned tools, teachers can now deliver impactful STEM lessons, and every student is empowered to explore, create and innovate.

See how 3-D printing is inspiring Cheatham County Schools students!

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