LAB-IN-A-BOX PROGRAM ENHANCES STEM LEARNING IN TIME FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Middle school science teachers across rural East Tennessee are ready to bring robust, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences to their classrooms this fall after receiving their new Lab-in-a-Box kits and completing training through Roane State.
Many rural school districts do not have the resources to provide students with interactive STEM learning opportunities, so Roane State created Lab-in-a-Box to address the need. Since 2010, the kits have provided materials and lesson plans to schools, and they are aligned with state standards.
“Smartphones and tablets are great, but kids love to ‘play scientist’ with real materials,” said Dr. Sylvia Pastor, Roane State associate professor of chemistry and Lab-in-a-Box coordinator. “They love to be independent and use their hands, and these activities bring the topics to life for them. They get to investigate like real scientists.”
Over the summer, teachers met up at Roane State campuses where they received the Lab-in-a-Box kits and were trained on how to use them in their classrooms. The training can be immediately applied to teacher lesson plans to streamline the concepts.
“The best part of receiving these materials was the training that accompanied the kits,” shared Amber Young, Career and Technical Education Teacher at North Middle School in Loudon County. “Often teachers receive materials or grants, but when we’re caught up in the day-to-day grind of lesson planning, teaching, or grading, it becomes challenging to find the time to learn how to implement something new.”
The latest kits were developed in 2022 and have since been deployed to schools. Geared towards 6th to 8th grade curriculums, the kits focus on two different subjects: atoms and radiation and CNC machining.
The atoms and radiation kits allow students to learn what atoms, elements, and isotopes are, as well as build out atoms and learn how scientists detect the different types of radiation.
A teacher receives training on a new classroom tool.
“Atomic energy is undergoing a rebirth, and we’re excited to link the basic concept of an atom to the current re-emerging field of nuclear and atomic research and energy,” shared Dr. Pastor.
The CNC machining kits were jointly designed by IACMI – The Composites Institute’s ACE (America’s Cutting Edge) program. They give students a glimpse into the world of advanced manufacturing.
“These kits are going to introduce students to the idea of subtractive manufacturing, so things that might require the use of a lathe or a mill,” explained Dr. Pastor. “We’re able to show them the original materials like aluminum or steel and then the products you can make from them.”
Inside the CNC machining kits are aluminum and steel air engine parts. The air engine can be assembled by students, and teachers test to see if the students built the air engines correctly by connecting them to an air compressor. This curriculum is complimented with video instruction.
“This year my 6th graders will explore robots, coding, their applications in agriculture, and we’ll conclude with lessons on machining,” shared Young. “The Lab-in-a-Box materials will provide my students with practical experiences that align with our curriculum, helping them understand complex concepts and develop essential skills in robotics and engineering.”
Young also recently completed a year-long STEM Leadership Academy, and the experience helped her realize the importance of community support in STEM.
“Roane State and the companies involved demonstrate that teachers are not alone in our mission to provide quality education to our students,” said Young. “Their support enables us to offer hands-on and engaging learning experiences that inspire students to pursue future careers in STEM fields.”
The Lab-in-a-Box program, made possible by the Rural Communities STEM Initiative, is a business and education partnership working with rural school districts to improve STEM skills of regional K-12 students. Those school districts include Anderson, Campbell, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Scott County schools as well as the city school systems in Lenoir City and Oneida.
Roane State estimates that 7,500 students across 27 schools are directly benefiting from this program. Donations for the Lab-in-a-Box program help fund teacher training, new materials, and additional kits for schools in our area. To learn more about making a contribution, visit roanestate.edu/donate-lab-in-a-box.
For more information on the Lab-in-a-Box program, visit roanestate.edu/labinabox.