Photo Credit – Pexels
Traveling STEM Laboratory to Provide Free Hands-on STEM Education for Local Public Schools.
Learning Undefeated and CITGO are kicking off a semester-long partnership to bring interactive science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to Lake Charles-area students at no cost to local public schools.
With a grant from CITGO, the centerpiece of the new program is Learning Undefeated’s Drop Anywhere Lab, a traveling science laboratory housed in a shipping container, which travels to a new school each week providing a field trip experience right in the school parking lot. The program engages local students with STEM concepts through hands-on projects on board the mobile lab and introduces them to in-demand STEM careers located right in their own backyard.
“Launched in 2016, the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline program aims to increase access to Science, Technology Engineering and Math related educational opportunities by supporting and encouraging students to pursue STEM degrees and career pathways,” said CITGO Vice President Refining Jerry Dunn. “The mobile STEM laboratory is a unique vehicle to help us accomplish these goals.”
Learning Undefeated’s Drop Anywhere Lab student experience uses game-based learning, touchscreen walls, and special effects to explore chemistry and engineering concepts. Inside the shipping container, students use interactive gameplay and team collaboration to investigate scientific concepts, make claims and use evidence to solve challenges as they interact with 360-degree video, light and sound. The learning continues in the classroom with extension activities that allow students to continue exploring through hands-on laboratory investigations.
“Far too many students don’t know about high growth STEM jobs located right in their local community,” said Brian Gaines, CEO of Learning Undefeated. “Through this collaboration with CITGO, we will benefit thousands of students across the region by building their confidence in STEM subjects and empowering them to know that STEM careers are out there for them.”
The Drop Anywhere Lab will debut at Maplewood Middle School in Sulphur, Louisiana March 7-28. The program will visit other area elementary and middle schools throughout the school year including LeBlanc Middle School and W.W. Lewis Middle School. Schools can sign up to receive a free visit from the mobile lab at the Learning Undefeated website.
–PR Newswire
