Learning is different here. SmartLab is a career-connected STEM ecosystem that equips today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.
We've got
moments down to a science!
We are able to work with our students to get them career and college ready, and we do that K-12. SmartLabs help by getting students' hands on projects and activities, getting them working with partners in the classroom, and getting them building something they would've never imagined they could build…it's actually shown our community what our students are capable of.” —Dr. Deirdre Pilch, 2025 CO Superintendent of the Year, Greeley-Evans School District 6 | Greeley, CO
STEM identity today. Any career tomorrow.
In an AI-driven world, STEM identity and readiness matter in every career. SmartLab is an integrated STEM learning ecosystem where engagement is the engine of growth. Students build confidence and purpose as they solve meaningful problems and connect classroom learning to the careers of tomorrow. SmartLab students believe: I belong here. I can do this. I add value. I’m future-ready . This mindset takes shape through active, student-centered learning cycles—each ah-HA! moment steadily converting raw curiosity into
resilient, purposeful problem solving. What makes SmartLab different? • Builds STEM identity through authentic, hands-on learning • Connects classroom experiences to real-world careers • Engages learners with integrated STEM applications
See what students and educators say
Students hone durable skills that strengthen their STEM Identities.
SmartLab helps students build the kinds of durable skills that serve them long after a project ends. Communication, critical thinking, and adaptability are integrated into every experience—not as separate goals, but as essential outcomes. These are the capabilities students will rely on in any job, career, or calling.
AI Literacy
Collaboration
Communication
Computational Thinking
Data Literacy
Design Process
Digital Citizenship
Ethics
Lifelong Learning
Mathematical Concepts
Natural Systems
Persistence
Knowledge Construction
Research Design
Systems Thinking
The communication I've had with industry leaders in Michigan about the program itself comes primarily from their visits to our schools… I tell them, 'Get prepared, because you're going to have 18-year-old kids with more knowledge than some of your employees.' That's an exciting proposition for them because a lot of jobs are unfilled." —Mark Whelton, Superintendent, Bridgeport-Spaulding Schools | Bridgeport, MI
What's SmartLab? SmartLab is an integrated ecosystem that sparks ah-HA! moments and builds STEM identity.
Where Career Skills Emerge in Authentic Context SmartLab curriculum guides students through experiences that build both academic mastery and workforce-ready capabilities. By tackling authentic challenges, students develop and demonstrate the exact skills employers seek. Spark (K-12) Spark Curiosity, Ignite Learning PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Self-Directed Exploration: Encourages students to choose topics of interest and explore at their own pace, building critical thinking skills. Career-connected PBL curriculum powers impactful learning.
Spark introduces students to a broad range of technologies, fostering digital literacy and adaptability. Self-directed exploration builds curiosity and problem-solving skills applicable across careers. Explorer (K-5) Explore Your World, Uncover Possibilities Explorer introduces students to key industries and careers through hands-on STEM challenges. It provides exposure to a variety of real-world applications, helping students see how STEM is relevant to their futures. Pathfinder (6-8) Find Your Path, Shape Your Future Pathfinder deepens students’ experience with industry-specific challenges, helping them develop the advanced STEM skills and problem-solving abilities needed for future careers in high-demand fields.
• Technology Integration: Introduces a wide variety of STEM tools to promote digital literacy and engagement. • Flexible Projects: Provides adaptable learning experiences (2-4 hrs) that fit diverse classroom environments and schedules. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Guided Exploration: Provides structured units that connect STEM concepts to practical applications. • Industry Exposure: Offers insights into various career pathways through real-world problem-solving tasks. • Adaptable Challenges: Engages students in relevant, hands-on projects that fit different learning environments PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Guided Challenges: Engages students in structured, real-world projects connected to industry challenges. • Integrated STEM Concepts: Develops critical skills using STEM tools and technologies applicable across industries. • Real-World Problem Solving: Encourages students to apply their learning to practical scenarios, connecting STEM concepts to future careers.
Design Process
Unit Spotlight (Explorer K-5)
Career & Industry Pathway: Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources
Just 30% of 2024 graduates met at least three of ACT’s four readiness benchmarks 1 — while 75% of employers report difficulty filling positions 2 .
Integrated STEM Application: Robotics & Control Technology
Challenge: How can we program a self-driving delivery truck to help a farmer bring food to our community? Overview: Learners explore how food goes from farm to table, considering food distribution challenges and focusing on delivering fresh produce to food deserts.
SmartLab has given us a scope and sequence that has provided our students the opportunity to think and learn in a much different way. We consistently hear that students are eager to get back into the SmartLab because they can showcase learning outcomes that are much different than in the traditional classroom." —Eric Mineweaser, Director of Curriculum, Warren County School District | Warren, PA
1 ACT (2024) — “Thirty percent of 2024 high school graduates met three or four of ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks.” https://www.act.org/content/act/en/research/services-and-resources/data-and-visualization/grad-class-database-2024.html
2 ManpowerGroup (2024) — “74% of employers report difficulty filling roles” (global) https://go.manpowergroup.com/talent-shortage-2024
By moving beyond textbooks and theory, investing in SmartLab gives students a chance to succeed in an ever-changing, fast- moving environment while fostering essential skills such as communication, flexibility, creativity, and collaboration. We're equipping students with the tools, resources, and confidence to adapt to new technologies and ideas that push the world forward." —Travis Brantingham, Head of School, The Principia School | St. Louis, MO
Hands-on tools and equipment drive engagement in learning. Every unit builds STEM skills and identity through authentic application.
Off-track freshmen are more than 3.5× likelier not to graduate 1 , while active STEM learning narrows failure gaps by 45% and exam gaps by 33% 2 .
Unit challenges connect STEM tools with industry-relevant problems, helping students cement academic learning while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and future-ready skills.
• Students advance from introductory tools to professional-grade technology by high school. • STEM applications enhance problem-solving across industries, from healthcare to the arts. • Hands-on experiences connect classroom learning to careers in every field.
Career Connections
Career & Industry Pathways
Integrated STEM Applications
Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy
Advanced Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence
Circuitry & Electronics
Construction & Architecture
Education
Communication & Multimedia
Data Collection & Analysis
Finance, Business, & Entrepreneurship
Healthcare Sciences
Information Technology
Mechanics & Structures
Entertainment, Arts, & Media
Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics
Modeling & Design
Robotics & Control Technology
1 Active learning narrows exam gap by 33% / passing gap by 45% — Theobald, E. J., et al. (2020). “Active learning narrows achievement gaps for underrepresented students in STEM.” PNAS. P DF: https://www.saltise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Theobald-et-al.-2020.pdf 2 “On-Track” freshmen are ~3.5 times more likely to graduate than off-track peers — National Academies, “5 Early Warning Indicators” (High School Dropout, Graduation, and Completion Rates) (2011). Chapter: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/13035/chapter/7
8 5 Key Components of a SmartLab
9 5 Key Components of a SmartLab
Career-Connected PBL Curriculum SmartLab’s PBL curriculum engages students through hands-on challenges connected to real-world careers. Projects apply STEM to 21st-century problems while building durable skills. The LearningHub platform provides personalized access and clear visibility into student progress for both educators and learners.
SmartLab Certified Facilitator Certified Facilitators guide student-centered learning cycles and manage daily lab operations. Backed by immersive training and a national cohort of peers, they bring confidence, consistency, and best practices that keep learning authentic and impactful.
Customized STEM Learning Environments Each SmartLab environment is designed according to your school’s goals. HQs are dedicated, ADA-compliant STEM labs built to foster teamwork, accessibility, and hands-on learning. FLEX environments serve space- constrained schools by providing mobile, flexible setups that preserve core outcomes and student engagement.
Hands-On Tools & Equipment SmartLab equips learners with technology that supports student-driven learning. From robotics to digital media, tools promote exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Technology can include a CNC machine, laser engraver, 3D printer, and more.
Ongoing Support & Partnership SmartLab sustains programs through hands-on onboarding, rapid technical response, and partner development that unlocks funding and volunteer support. Ongoing support and dedicated teams keep labs reliable, preserve instructional quality, and ensure programs endure and grow.
As educators, it is our job to prepare our students for the rigors of college and their careers. The current workforce environment is ever changing, which makes our job more challenging than ever before! We try to foster skills for jobs that our students will one day have, yet those jobs have not even been created. Our SmartLab HQ Stem Center is the perfect blend of standards-based education with the skills needed to be successful for tomorrow. Students are continually engaged and are working on problem-solving skills and grit daily. " —Gary Baker, Principal, California Elementary | California, MO
Customized STEM learning environments foster hands-on collaboration.
Environment Impacts Experience Students work in multi-station environments that cultivate teamwork, communication, and problem- solving—key skills in any workplace. SmartLab’s collaborative layout encourages the teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills essential in any industry. SmartLab HQ Learning Environment • Designed for new or existing spaces with a fully integrated STEM environment • ADA-compliant, purpose-built layout optimized and furnished for collaboration and hands-on learning • Customizable technology packages to match school goals and student needs SmartLab FLEX Learning Environment • Brings engaging STEM experiences to any classroom or other learning environment • Customizable packages for different schedules, spaces, and budgets • Transforms existing spaces into interactive, collaboration-driven environments
Traditional lecture-style classrooms produce 50% higher failure rates and lower exam scores 1 . Purpose-built collaborative spaces foster greater student engagement and participation 2 .
Breckenridge K-12 Community Schools | Breckenridge, MI
SmartLab HQ
1 Rands & Gansemer-Topf (2017) — The Room Itself Is Active: How Classroom Design Impacts Student Engagement https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1152568.pdf 2 Steelcase — How Classroom Design Affects Student Engagement https://www.steelcase.com/eu-en/research/articles/topics/learning/ how-classroom-design-affects-student-engagement/
The SmartLab facilitation method really accelerated the way that kids were gaining experience. It shifted the way I approached teaching because I could see firsthand the impact of this hands-on, student-driven learning." —Maxwell Bullen, Facilitator, St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic School | Henderson, NV
Training and PD connect curriculum, pedagogy, and practice. Professional Learning that Brings the SmartLab Ecosystem to Life
Sustained, job-embedded, collaborative professional development 1 drives significantly larger gains in teacher practice and student outcomes than one-off workshops 2 .
Certification begins with a 5-week Foundations cohort, paired with virtual follow-ups and job-embedded support. Certification links facilitators to a national peer network, annual refreshers, and on-demand resources, and includes onboarding, tech support, and program operations to accelerate readiness, preserve instructional fidelity, and enable predictable replication across schools.
Foundations Training
Extend Learning Advanced, school-tailored strategies to deepen facilitator practice now.
Collaboration & Implementation Job-embedded support integrates PD into daily practice.
Professional Community
5-week cohort program preparing facilitators for classroom impact.
National cohort for peer practice, problem-solving, and support.
The Principles SmartLab Professional Learning converts training into measurable classroom outcomes: stronger student work, consistent facilitation routines, and faster teacher readiness. Its principles emphasize PBL-centered facilitation, iterative practice cycles, and peer-supported refinement, which together translate certification into reliable classroom practice. • Active Engagement — Models hands-on facilitation moves that start, sustain, and deepen inquiry. • Authentic Application — Frames projects around real problems so student work shows clear transfer. • Collaborative Growth — Builds shared norms and peer routines for continuous instructional improvement. • Evidence-Driven Practice — Uses short formative checks and student artifacts to refine lessons. • Ongoing Development — Delivers refreshers, resources, and in-class support to sustain practice. When educators thrive, students thrive. 1 Learning Policy Institute — https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/ product-files/Effective_Teacher_Professional_Development_REPORT.pdf 2 Education Policy Institute — https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/ effects-high-quality-professional-development/ 2 https://www.pnas.org/doi/ pdf/10.1073/pnas.1916903117?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ongoing support and partnership extend the impact of your SmartLab. When schools invest in SmartLab, they gain more than a program—they gain partners in sustaining student success. Sustainability goes beyond equipment. SmartLab keeps facilitators supported, students engaged, and communities connected, ensuring each Lab remains a driver of readiness and STEM identity for generations. Maximize Impact
Build Community Connect your SmartLab to local partners through events that highlight career paths, boost school visibility, and strengthen support.
Partner with the SmartLab Success Team to align your program with your goals, driving meaningful outcomes for your students.
Fuel Innovation
Ensure Reliability
Seamlessly access curriculum with unlimited student licenses to LearningHub , and inspire hands-on learning and innovation.
Leverage your SmartLab Innovation Fund of up to $4,500 to enrich programs with added curriculum, PD, or new tech from the catalog.
Partnerships Create Lasting Connections
When schools connect with sponsors, students gain lasting access to real tools, current curriculum, and mentors who show them future careers. At the same time, sponsoring organizations earn community visibility, stronger ties to schools, and a direct role in shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Sponsorship can mean a full lab, program enhancements, or volunteer time. In every form, it sustains student engagement and gives partners a chance to invest in both education and their own future talent pipeline.
STEM initiatives that lack sustained partnerships and community engagement often struggle to survive beyond initial funding, while those with long-term partnerships are significantly more likely to sustain implementation over time 1 .
Each SmartLab we fund is another step towards fulfilling our mission... we never know the impact this exposure may have on a child, and many times attending a school with a STEM curriculum lights a spark that encourages a career in STEM. These children are the future problem solvers, inventors, doctors, and designers and we are proud to support them!" — Deanna Campos-Miller, President, Campos Foundation | Denver, CO
1 Creating a Sustainable Partnership Between a Science Center and Schools (CORD, 2022) https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1325638.pdf
Great STEM initiatives don’t fail—they fade.
61% of teachers report that initiatives “come and go” at their schools,¹ and few Pre-K–12 STEM initiatives sustain after initial funding ends.² Meeting tomorrow’s workforce needs takes more than a one-off program, workshop, or equipment purchase. The SmartLab ecosystem integrates all five components—curriculum, hands-on tools and equipment, purposeful learning environments, professional development, and sustained support & partnership—into a unified ecosystem. This alignment builds consistent, career-connected experiences that strengthen students’ skills and identities over time. Let’s give your students a lasting STEM advantage.
Districts that plan for sustainability from the start are more likely to make new practice the “new normal.”³
The SmartLab has opened a whole new way of learning and developing career paths for our high school students. We have been able to open them up to new career ideas that many have never considered or even knew existed. In our lab the students have become licensed drone pilots who are working in the field, are coding their own apps to solve equations, have developed websites for outside businesses, and have decided to go to college for engineering in various fields. The kids in our lab are truly making life decisions about their future careers. —Marcus Diamond, SmartLab Facilitator, Weld County RE5 School District | Keenesburg, CO
1 RAND Corporation, 2020. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA134-1.html ²National Academies, 2024. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27091 ³Wallace Foundation, 2025. https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/sustaining-educational-initiatives.aspx.
Advancing STEM education and expanding student access We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the private funders whose generous contributions have been instrumental in bringing SmartLab programs to schools. Their support has enriched educational experiences, providing students with innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that bridge STEM applications and real-world industries.
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© 2025 SmartLab | 1801 Lefthand Circle, Longmont, Colorado 80501 | www.smartlablearning.com | 800.458.2880
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