Fifth grade students at E.J. Moss Intermediate stepped inside a high-tech classroom on wheels this week as the Texas Mobile STEM Lab rolled onto campus for three days of hands-on learning.
Operated by the nonprofit Learning Undefeated in partnership with the Texas Education Agency, the mobile lab visited the school on Tuesday and will continue to visit until Thursday. The program, funded by TEA, is provided to schools at no cost.
Inside the lab, known as Explorer7, students participated in an interactive circuits engineering design challenge. The lab features colorful graphics and touchscreen televisions at each student workspace, creating an immersive learning environment.
Students worked collaboratively to solve engineering problems aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards. The curriculum integrates STEM content knowledge with real-world applications and emphasizes engineering concepts.
Ariel Steele, education outreach coordinator for Learning Undefeated, said that mobile labs play a key role in modern education.
“Our world is changing and the way we approach education has to evolve as well, so we like to say we educate, we elevate and we empower,” Steele said.
She explained that the program educates students by introducing them to various engineering careers connected to each challenge. It elevates them by demonstrating that they are capable of success and empowers them by reinforcing that anyone can become an engineer.
“I think it’s exciting. Most of the comments we get are like, ‘Wow, it doesn’t feel like I’m working,’” Steele said.
This marks the fourth year of the Texas Mobile STEM Lab program. E.J. Moss Intermediate was selected from among hundreds of eligible schools that applied to host the experience.
Steele said the lab is set to visit Pine Tree ISD next and encouraged any teachers interested in hosting a visit to learn more at LearningUndefeated.org. She emphasized that the visits are “100% free” to campuses.
